The pilot reported that during an agricultural application flight near Liberal, Kansas, his attention was focused “on a shed and electrical lines.”
While maneuvering to the north at a low altitude, the Air Tractor AT402’s right wing hit an unseen galvanized windmill tower.
The pilot told investigators the tower had blended into the gray sky.
He attempted to control the airplane, but it descended and hit the ground, sustaining substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a windmill tower while maneuvering at low altitude.
This June 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Glad the pilot survived
Wait-a-minute. Aren’t ALL obstacles “supposed” to be marked around a field serviced by Ag-aircraft?
You city folk need to read the NTSB report and what the pilot saw, what the pilot was doing at the time. This is a “crop duster” and the pilot was surveying the area to be sprayed, looking for wires and such that they would have to avoid.
Old derelict windmill/water-pumps are not brightly colored, and are not all that tall.
Probable cause was, the sucker blended into the background so that the pilot wasn’t able to see it very well as well as a cloud shadow had covered it.
Love and respect to Ag Pilots. Their work benefits mankind. Their Aircraft, Equipment, and team members enhance beauty
Windmills – ruin the landscape
Antennas – ruin the landscape, but are needed.
Minimize the need for Windmills
More modern coal. natural gas and nuclear power plants so California allows elected cars to charge, water to be pumped, and air conditioners 24/7 even at night or when the wind is calm.
It was an old, steel water-pumping farm windmill, NOT a tall, modern wind turbine…
Well, don’t let that get in the way of a political argument! 😉
That windmill was probably 20 or 30 feet tall and is used to pump water to feed animals.
Some of you city dwellers do need to just be quiet if you don’t know what you are talking about.
AG pilot’s probably should fly over a die l d at 100- 200 feet looking for obstructions and field conditions before beginning application runs.
They should still clear ground and air on each pass.