Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI94LA241

ECKELSON, ND, USA

Aircraft #1

N7301Y

AIR TRACTOR AT-301

Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS MAKING A FINAL AERIAL APPLICATION RUN OVER A FIFTY ACRE FIELD. AS HE CROSSED OVER A TRANSMISSION WIRE WHICH BORDERED THE FIELD, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SNAGGED A WIRE, AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED UNCONTROLLABLY TO GROUND COLLISION.

Factual Information

On July 23, 1994, about 0645 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301 airplane, N7301Y, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a transmission wire and terrain near Eckelson, North Dakota. The solo commercial pilot aboard received minor injuries. The aerial application flight operated without flight plan in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot reported he was making a final swath run and was crossing above transmission lines which bisected the field. When he felt that he had cleared the lines, he nosed the airplane over to lose altitude. One wheel of the main landing gear struck a transmission line during the descent. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the airplane and collided with terrain.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire. A factor associated with the accident is the transmission wire.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports