La Ward, TX, USA
N2602M
Air Tractor AT 602
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, while the airplane was between about 15 and 40 ft above ground level and traveling westward with the sun in his eyes, the rudder struck a wire and separated. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane without further incident. The pilot added that he thought the airplane had already cleared the wire when the collision occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight, about 15 to 40 ft. agl and traveling westward with the sun in his eyes, the airplane's rudder struck a wire and separated. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane without further incident. The pilot added that he thought the airplane already cleared the wire when the collision occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an aerial application flight in sun glare conditions.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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