Aerial Application Aircraft Hits Power Line During Spraying Operation

Casualties unknown • Richfield, UT, US

An aircraft engaged in aerial application struck a power line during a climbing maneuver, leading to a forced landing and significant damage.

What happened

The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight and had completed four passes spraying a field. While the pilot was pulling up out of the field, the aircraft's landing gear made contact with a power line.

Following the impact, the pilot maintained flight for a short duration but could not maintain adequate control of the aircraft. This resulted in a forced landing within the field. The subsequent impact with the ground caused damage to the engine, propeller, and the landing gear. The pilot was not injured.

Records indicate that the pilot had been involved in two additional accidents within a single year. Following this most recent event, the pilot verbally agreed to voluntarily surrender his aerial application operating certificate at the request of the FAA, though as of the time of the report, the certificate had not yet been surrendered.

Probable cause

The aircraft's landing gear struck a power line while the pilot was pulling up out of a field during an aerial application maneuver.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-05-21 Piper PA-25-260 accident near Richfield, UT?

An aircraft engaged in aerial application struck a power line during a climbing maneuver, leading to a forced landing and significant damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-05-21 involved a Piper PA-25-260, registration N8531L, at Richfield, UT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft's landing gear struck a power line while the pilot was pulling up out of a field during an aerial application maneuver.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18749. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…