Incident Overview
On May 5, 2013, at 1745 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602 (registration N628JP) struck an overhead powerline while conducting an aerial application flight near Udall, Kansas. The aircraft was operated by Andy Deterding Ag Aviation under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 and registered to a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The airplane had departed from Wellington Municipal Airport (EGT) in Wellington, Kansas, at 1700.
Flight Details
The pilot reported performing three surveillance orbits of the field to identify obstacles and wires. He observed powerlines running parallel to the roads north and east of the field but did not notice a low-hanging powerline that crossed the field at an angle. The pilot conducted five spraying passes over the field without incident.
Accident Sequence
During the sixth pass, the airplane's propeller and landing gear struck the low-hanging powerline. The aircraft began to vibrate severely, prompting the pilot to execute a forced landing to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the left wing struck a large bush, causing the airplane to turn sideways as it skidded to a stop. This impact resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pole supporting the struck powerline was located within the tree line.
Pilot Comments
The pilot stated that he did not have a map of the field and had not been informed about the low-hanging powerline. No other obstacles or wires were reported to have been missed during the surveillance orbits.
Damage Assessment
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing structure. The pilot was not injured in the accident.