Towers equipped with sensors to measure winds for power-generation feasibility studies can put at risk pilots and aircraft operating at low altitudes, especially during aerial application of crop-protection chemicals, seeds and fertilizers.
Meteorological evaluation towers (METs), erected temporarily to measure winds for electric power-generation feasibility studies in the United States, in recent years have become common in some areas. After a number of accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the agricultural flying industry advocated changes to the current federal level of aviation safety oversight — which ultimately resulted in requests for voluntary measures by MET users — and appealed to state officials to address the concerns.
The NTSB said earlier in 2013, “Currently, it is unknown how many METs are erected in the United States.”
The first of three accident reports selected as examples by the NTSB reflects key issues. On Jan. 10, 2011, at 1057 l…
