Casualties unknown

1998-05-20: Air Tractor AT-401 (N1009T) — Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls, ID, US

On May 20, 1998, an Air Tractor AT-401 (registration N1009T) was involved in an aviation accident near Idaho Falls, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's opinion that the different size and sight-picture of the AT-401 caused him to think he had more clearance from the wire than he actually had. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot maneuvering an AT-401 near a power line during an application flight reported that his left wing contacted the top wire, causing the aircraft to cartwheel and strike the ground. He attributed the misjudgment to unfamiliarity with the new aircraft's size and sight-picture.

Accident Description

According to the pilot, the accident occurred while he was maneuvering near a power line during an agricultural application flight. He had just rolled the aircraft wings-level and descended for another pass when his left wing contacted the top wire of the power line. The pilot stated that he saw the line and believed he had sufficient clearance, but the wing tip caught the wire. Following the collision with the power line, the aircraft struck the ground in a cartwheeling motion.

Pilot's Account

The pilot reported that he was accustomed to flying the AT-300 model but had recently purchased an AT-401. This was his first application flight using the new aircraft. In his opinion, the different size and sight-picture of the AT-401 caused him to misjudge his clearance from the wire, leading him to believe he had more room than actually existed.

The source does not specify the aircraft registration, date, operator, location, number of occupants, injuries, damage extent, time of day, weather conditions, or whether air traffic control was involved.

Probable cause

The pilot's opinion that the different size and sight-picture of the AT-401 caused him to think he had more clearance from the wire than he actually had.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10197. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.