Casualties unknown

Aerial Application Plane Strikes Pole After Pilot Blinded by Sun (N731PW)

Randalette, OK, US

On September 5, 1999, a Cessna A188B (registration N731PW) operated by Larry Abernathy was involved in an aviation accident near Randalette, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the telephone pole. A factor was the sunglare. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During an aerial application flight, the pilot was blinded by the sun while turning, causing the right wing to strike a telephone pole; the aircraft then impacted the ground and came to rest inverted.

Incident Overview

An agricultural aircraft sustained substantial damage after its right wing struck a telephone pole during an aerial application operation. The pilot reported being temporarily blinded by the sun while maneuvering.

Pilot's Account

According to the pilot, the airplane was in a left bank turning toward the east when the sun directly impaired his vision. He stated, "as I was watching thru the satloc, [I] saw one pole pass under [the] right wing, then one under [the] left, so [I] pushed down." Shortly thereafter, the right wing contacted a third telephone pole.

Outcome

Following the wing strike, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. No further details about injuries or damage beyond the wing contact were provided in the initial report.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19763. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.