Accident Details
On June 25, 2024, about 0820 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, Inc. AT-502A, registration N325RA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Martin, Tennessee. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.
Witness Account
A witness who was outside about 900 feet and nearly due north of the accident site observed the airplane flying in a southerly direction about 15 to 20 feet above the height of the treetops and not spraying. The witness reported that the engine sounded normal, then when the flight was near his position, he heard a sound or loud noise like something was dragging, and about 2 to 3 seconds later heard a loud noise consistent with impact. He called 911 to report the accident and subsequently went to the accident site, providing information to the 911 operator.
Wreckage Examination
The airplane came to rest inverted in a heavily wooded area. The angle of the observed tree strikes was consistent with a steep descent through the tree canopy. Examination revealed that the right wingtip was separated and not located at the accident site; it was subsequently found on the ground about 605 feet north-northeast from the wreckage. Additionally, a spray nozzle was located on the ground about 22 feet from the separated wingtip. Flakes of white paint consistent with the main color of the airplane were found on the ground about 143 feet north-northeast from the wingtip location, or about 748 feet from the main wreckage location.
Tree Strike
Further examination of the wooded area north-northeast of the main wreckage revealed a freshly broken tree trunk and tree limbs. The tree trunk fracture was estimated to be 60 to 90 feet above ground level. The tree was located among trees at the south edge of a field that was intended to be sprayed, about 750 feet north-northeast from the main wreckage. A portion of the fractured tree was about 4 inches in diameter.
Right Wing Damage
Examination of the right wing revealed a semi-circular indentation in the leading edge about 12 inches inboard of the wing rib with eye bolt, or middle aileron hinge compression rib. The impression was about 4 inches in diameter, closely matching the diameter of a recovered portion from the impacted tree. The forward spar was deformed aft in the area of the tree contact, and damage to the wing skin was noted in that area. Postaccident examination of the roll, pitch, yaw, flaps, flap droop, and aileron/rudder interconnect systems revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
Components that contained non-volatile memory were recovered and retained for further examination.