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GAA15CA171

2015-07-09 · Hatch, New Mexico, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance, and the airplane struck a transmission line wire during aerial application operations.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that upon completion of an aerial application of fungicide, he made an end clean up pass. He reported that the airplane struck a transmission line wire that he did not see, and then impacted the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that upon completion of an aerial application of fungicide, he made an end clean up pass. He reported that the airplane struck a transmission line wire that he did not see, and then impacted the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Awareness of condition - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA15CA171.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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