Brookland, AR, USA
N5013C
Air Tractor AT-602
After applying chemical to a field, the 5,400-hour pilot attempted to maneuver the turbine powered airplane under power lines. During the maneuver, the airplane's vertical stabilizer impacted the power line. The pilot initiated a climb to 200 feet in an attempt to locate a safe landing area. Subsequently, the pilot managed to land the airplane in a rice field without further incident.
On May 21, 2004, approximately 1030 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602 single-engine agricultural airplane, N5013C, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight near Brookland, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Quinn Aviation Inc., of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight departed the Quinn Aviation private airstrip approximately 0900. The 5,400-hour pilot reported that after applying chemicals to a field, he attempted to maneuver under power lines. During the maneuver, the airplane's vertical stabilizer impacted the power line. The vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage and the rudder was partially separated. The pilot initiated a climb to 200 feet in an attempt to locate a safe landing area. Subsequently, the pilot managed to land the turbine powered airplane in a rice field without further incident. The pilot confirmed that the vertical stabilizer, the rudder, and the right wing had incurred structural damage.
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines while maneuvering.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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