Collision with terrain involving an Air Tractor AT-301, VH-FAA, Nangwee, Queensland, on 21 January 1998

199800217

Summary

The pilot reported that on approaching the paddock to be sprayed he did a circuit to observe wires and obstructions. He observed two sets of wires, one set running along a main road and another set running along one side of the paddock to a bore. The pilot decided to carry out some clean up runs along the bore wire first, to make the spray runs on the paddock safer. On the fourth run the pilot was intending to go over the road wires, but the landing gear snagged them, and brought the aircraft down to the ground some distance away. The pilot stated that there was a crop of tall sunflowers growing in the corner of the paddock, which made it too dangerous to go under the wires.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 199800217
Occurrence date 21/01/1998
Location Nangwee
State Queensland
Report release date 28/01/1998
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Collision with terrain
Occurrence class Accident

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Air Tractor Inc
Model AT-301
Registration VH-FAA
Sector Piston
Operation type Aerial Work
Departure point Hornicks Strip Qld
Destination Rother's Farm Qld
Damage Substantial