NTSB Factual Report

On July 2, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N4549E, contacted a guy wire and collided with the terrain during an aerial application flight in Ellinwood, Kansas. The commercial pilot flying the airplane was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot reported he departed the Ellinwood Municipal Airport at approximately 0900 central daylight time.

The pilot reported he saw the poles during the aerial application flight. He reported he knew that there would be wires in the area so he swung out wide during a turn to look for the wires. The right wing contacted a guy wire during the turn. The airplane then settled into the sunflower crop.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot failed to see and avoid the guy wire during an aerial application flight. A factor associated with the accident was the guy wire.