No fatalities

14 Aug 2012: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502 — NORTHSTAR AEROSPRAY INC — Hanley Falls, MN

Hanley Falls, MN, United States

On 14 Aug 2012, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502 operated by NORTHSTAR AEROSPRAY INC was involved in an aviation accident near Hanley Falls, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a guy wire during an agricultural application 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

While establishing a GPS reference line for agricultural spraying, the pilot struck a guy wire with the left wing, causing the airplane to impact the ground inverted. No mechanical failures were reported.

Accident Description

During an agricultural application pass, the pilot was flying near a set of power line support poles on the edge of a field. The maneuver was intended to establish a global positioning system (GPS) reference line for subsequent passes. While looking to the left to maintain clearance from the support poles, the pilot observed guy wires in his flight path. He immediately pulled up and rolled to the right, but the left wing struck a guy wire. The airplane then impacted the ground inverted.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. He noted that making the guy wires more visible and greater awareness on his part might have prevented the accident.

Sequence of Events

The pilot was conducting an agricultural application pass. He flew near power line support poles on the edge of the field to establish a GPS reference line. While looking left to maintain clearance to the poles, he saw guy wires. He attempted to avoid by pulling up and rolling right, but the left wing contacted a guy wire. The airplane subsequently struck the ground inverted.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotAltitude — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation