No fatalities

16 Aug 2019: Air Tractor AT502 B — Wilbur Ellis Air Llc — Onida, SD

Onida, SD, United States

On 16 Aug 2019, an Air Tractor AT502 B operated by Wilbur Ellis Air Llc was involved in an aviation accident near Onida, SD. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power wires during agricultural application operations. 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

During an aerial application flight, the pilot flew under powerline wires but struck one, causing the aircraft to descend into a cornfield where it came to rest with substantial damage to the lower fuselage.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that while conducting an aerial application flight, he flew the airplane underneath powerline wires. However, the aircraft struck one of the wires during the maneuver. Following the impact, the airplane descended into a cornfield, where it came to rest.

Damage Assessment

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its lower fuselage. The pilot stated that no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions were present that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Pilot Report

The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, provided the account of the event. No other individuals were involved, and no injuries were reported. The pilot did not indicate any issues with the aircraft's systems or performance prior to the accident.

Conclusion

The accident occurred during a routine aerial application flight, with the pilot attempting to navigate beneath powerline wires. The aircraft struck one of the wires, resulting in a forced descent into a nearby cornfield. The damage was confined to the lower fuselage, with no mechanical deficiencies identified by the pilot.

Contributing factors

PilotAltitude — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operation