On 31 May 2019, an Air Tractor AT502 B operated by Neal Aircraft Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Rockford, OH. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A tailwheel-equipped airplane struck power lines during an aerial application flight after the pilot forgot the wires and did not see them on the approach. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing and tailcone.
Accident Details
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported an accident during an aerial application flight. According to the pilot, the aircraft initially flew under power lines, then climbed and executed a 180-degree left turn to the south in preparation for another low-level pass. As the airplane approached the field, it struck the power lines and subsequently impacted terrain. The pilot stated that he had forgotten the wires were present and did not see them during the pass.
Aircraft Damage
As a result of the collision with the power lines and the subsequent impact with terrain, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and tailcone.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was operating with a tailwheel configuration.