Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance of power lines.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During spraying operations the aircraft struck a power line and descended uncontrolled to ground impact. The pilot was unable to recall what happened during the accident sequence due to his injuries.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 16, 1994, at 0630 central standard time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N9189Y, was destroyed while maneuvering near Moro, Arkansas. The commercial pilot/owner/operator sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. According to a witness interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, while spraying a wheat field the aircraft contacted a power line and impacted the ground in a nearby field. The pilot has no memory of the accident. -