N1755S accident

NTSB CEN17CA120 · 2017-03-02 · Fairmont, OK

Summary

The pilot stated that he was conducting spray operations to a pasture with power lines on its north border. As the pilot approached the pasture from the north on his fourth pass, he intended to descend after flying past the second of two cables. The pilot initiated a descent, but the airplane struck the second cable. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and a postimpact fire ensued. Following the accident, the pilot stated that he misidentified the first cable as the second cable.

Full narrative

The pilot stated he was conducting spray operations to a pasture with power lines on its north border. As the pilot approached the pasture from the north on his fourth pass, he intended to descend after flying past the second of two cables. The pilot initiated a descent, but the airplane struck the second cable. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and a post impact fire ensued. Following the accident, the pilot stated that he misidentified the first cable as the second cable.

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line while conducting agricultural spray operations. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type: Accident
Highest injury: Serious
Weather conditions: Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition: Day
Sky condition: NONE
Ceiling (ft): 0
Visibility (sm): 10
Wind direction: 220
Wind speed (kt): 5
Temperature (F): 64
Distance from field: 0.0

Aircraft

Registration	Make	Model	Damage	FAR part
N1755S	—	—	SUBS	137

Sequence of events

#	Occurrence	Phase
1	Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event defining	Climb
2	Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)	Climb

Findings

Finding
Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot	cause
Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Effect on operation	cause