No fatalities

17 Apr 2011: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A — Frost Flying Service — Horseshoe Lake, AR

Horseshoe Lake, AR, United States

On 17 Apr 2011, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A operated by Frost Flying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Horseshoe Lake, AR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot misjudged his altitude during a spraying pass. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

An agricultural pilot misjudged altitude during a spraying pass, striking a tower with the propeller and wing. The falling tower separated the tail, leading to a forced landing in a cornfield.

Accident Overview

An agricultural pilot was conducting a spraying operation in a field when the accident occurred. After completing a pass, the pilot reversed course for another pass. During this subsequent pass, the pilot misjudged his altitude and impacted a tower with the airplane's propeller and the inboard section of the right wing.

Sequence of Events

As a result of the impact, the tower fell. The falling tower separated the airplane's right horizontal stabilizer and right elevator from the airframe. The pilot, unable to maintain altitude, performed a forced landing into a cornfield. The airplane came to rest in an upright position in an irrigation canal.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. The aircraft operated normally until the collision with the tower.

Probable cause

The pilot misjudged his altitude during a spraying pass.

Contributing factors

Pilot