On June 20, 2002, an Air Tractor AT-301 (registration N8719S) was involved in an aviation accident near Westmorland, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. A factor was the dark night condition. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a night aerial application flight, the aircraft struck power lines with its left wing while maneuvering, then hit a paved road inverted and caught fire. No preimpact mechanical failures were found.
Accident Details
A pilot conducting a night aerial application flight was spraying a cotton field. The flight path was east to west, beginning on the north side of the field. Power lines, approximately 40 to 60 feet high, bordered the field on the south.
On the pilot's next-to-last pass, after pulling up out of the field and maneuvering to reverse direction, the airplane's left wing impacted the power lines. The aircraft subsequently struck a paved road in an inverted position, and a post-crash fire ensued.
Investigation Findings
An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical failures. The investigation did not identify any specific cause for the accident.