The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight in Waco, Nebraska, he circled the intended spray field looking for obstacles, and noted a “big tower” and saw guy wires.
He then approached the field from the south, and began looking for the previously seen wires, but “must have gotten fixated on the lower wires,” and the Air Tractor AT502 hit wires he had not seen.
The airplane pitched up to the right, the wires broke, and the airplane surged forward. He subsequently maneuvered and landed the airplane on a nearby bean field.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and engine mounts.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
This August 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.