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CEN25LA221

2025-06-24 · Pierre, South Dakota, United States · Serious · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N107ML

Make / Model
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-402B
Year of manufacture
2012 · 13 years old at event
Engine
P&W CANADA PT6A-34AG (750 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20120301
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A01FD3

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the power lines while maneuvering that resulted in an in-flight collision with the power lines and impact with terrain.

Factual narrative

During an aerial application of a field, the airplane was in a 20 to 30o descent at 140 kts when its vertical stabilizer struck a power line. The vertical stabilizer and rudder separated from the airplane, which resulted in the airplane’s uncontrolled descent and impact with the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot stated that he knew the location of the power line, but it was pilot error that resulted in the collision with the power line. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane before the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
  • — Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2025_CEN25LA221.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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