Air Tractor INC AT 502B accident near Garfield, Kansas, April 22, 2014
On April 22, 2014 at about 6:10 pm local time, a 1999 Air Tractor INC AT 502B, registered N51990, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Garfield, Kansas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power lines while maneuvering low to the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 22, 2014 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Garfield, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT 502B B, built 1999 · all AT 502Bs on the register
- Registration
- N51990 · no longer on the register · serial 502B-0557
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was preparing to spray a hay field when the airplane collided with the top set of power lines that were about 60 feet tall and impacted the ground. The operator said that this was the pilot's first time spraying this field and that the pilot was not familiar with the field or the surrounding obstacles. The operator reported that a stand of trees was opposite the power lines and that it was difficult to see the top wires as you approached the field because "they would get lost in the trees." Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 30,750 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,235.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2014; 11.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,400 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pw&C PT^A-34AG (turboprop); 4,224 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Pratt KS
- Destination: Garfield KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.