On August 18, 1999, an Air Tractor AT-402 (registration N1510Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Holly Bluff, MS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate forward visibility due to overspray accumulation on the windscreen while flying into the sun, which resulted in a collision with a tree. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aerial application airplane collided with a tree and cartwheeled after overspray on the windscreen obscured the pilot's vision while flying into the sun.
What happened
The accident occurred during an aerial application flight pattern oriented in an east-west direction. The pilot was engaged in insecticide application when overspray accumulated on the windscreen, creating an oily residue that significantly obscured his vision as he headed directly into the sun. This loss of visibility led to a collision between the airplane's right wing and a tree. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the terrain and cartwheel.
The investigation
The pilot reported the specific conditions leading to the accident, noting that the accumulation of insecticide residue on the windscreen was the primary factor impairing his ability to see ahead.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate forward visibility due to overspray accumulation on the windscreen while flying into the sun, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 18 Aug 1999 Air Tractor AT-402 accident near Holly Bluff, MS?
An aerial application airplane collided with a tree and cartwheeled after overspray on the windscreen obscured the pilot's vision while flying into the sun.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Aug 1999 involved an Air Tractor AT-402, registration N1510Z, at Holly Bluff, MS.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate forward visibility due to overspray accumulation on the windscreen while flying into the sun, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
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