On April 10, 2002, an Air Tractor 502B (registration N9074H) was involved in an aviation accident near Palestine, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power line while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a spray pass, an agricultural airplane struck a previously unidentified wire, causing an eight-inch tear in the left aileron. The pilot maintained control and diverted to an alternate airport for a safe landing.
Incident Overview
An agricultural airplane was conducting spraying operations when the pilot performed two reconnaissance circles of the field to identify any wires. During these checks, the pilot observed two sets of wires oriented at different angles.
Wire Strike
On the final spray pass, the aircraft's propeller struck a wire that had not been previously detected. The wire subsequently impacted the left aileron, resulting in an eight-inch tear in the control surface.
Post-Strike Actions
Despite the damage, the pilot retained control of the aircraft. The pilot diverted to an alternate airport and executed a landing without any further issues.