NTSB Prelim: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-11.27.23

Airborne-NextGen-11.28.23

Airborne-Unlimited-11.29.23 Airborne-Affordable Flyers-11.30.23

Airborne on Holiday

Mon, Oct 02, 2023

NTSB Prelim: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B

Witnesses Observed The Top Of The Vertical Stabilizer Sheared Off By The Powerlines

Location: New Rockford, ND Accident Number: CEN23FA412
Date & Time: September 19, 2023, 12:32 Local Registration: N502NB
Aircraft: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

On September 19, 2023, about 1232 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B airplane, N502NB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Rockford, North Dakota. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

Four witnesses reported the airplane flew underneath powerlines while spraying a field of sunflowers. The witnesses observed the top of the vertical stabilizer sheared off by the powerlines, and the airplane continued to fly straight ahead westbound. About ¼ mile west of the powerlines, the airplane made a left turning dive and subsequently impacted a cornfield. The airplane came to rest inverted on a southerly heading about 10 ft from the initial impact point. Both wing leading edges were crushed aft. All airplane components were located except for a majority of the wire deflector cable and a 10 inch section of the top of the vertical stabilizer, which were not recovered.

Wire impact marks were observed about 18 inches below the top of the vertical stabilizer.The rudder separated from the vertical stabilizer and was found underneath the left wing. The inflatable restraints (airbags) were deployed. No preimpact anomalies were observed with the flight control system. The three propeller blades exhibited rotational signatures. 

The SATLOC and handheld Garmin GPS units were recovered for data download. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

Advertisement

More News

Classic Aero-TV: The Cost-Effective Airtext LT - Aviation's Ultimate Messenger??

From 2018 (YouTube Version): A Smaller, Lighter, And Lower Cost Texting Product That Is Portable Send Solutions introduced a new texting product that is smaller, lighter, lower cos>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (11.26.23)

Aero Linx: The International Civil Aviation English Association (ICAEA) The International Civil Aviation English Association (ICAEA) is a non-profit, non-partisan association that >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (11.26.23): Breakout

Breakout A technique to direct aircraft out of the approach stream. In the context of simultaneous (independent) parallel operations, a breakout is used to direct threatened aircra>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (11.27.23)

Aero Linx: Aviators Code Initiative The Permanent Editorial Board (PEB) provides editorial oversight and stewardship of the Aviators Code Initiative (ACI) and implementation of the>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: The Red Tail Project--Carrying the Torch of the Tuskegee Airmen

From 2009 (YouTube Version): Educational Organization Aims to Inspire by Sharing Tuskegee Story Founding leader Don Hinz summarized the Red Tail Project’s mission in simple, >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2023 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC