Air Tractor AT-802A N523BB

Summary

On 19 January 2021 at about 20:35 local time, a Air Tractor AT-802A registered N523BB, operated by Tensas Flying Service LLC, was involved in an accident near Newellton, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 January 2021 at 20:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Newellton, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

32.1744, -91.3602

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT-802A

Registration

N523BB

Category

Airplane

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Tensas Flying Service LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

St. Joseph → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA113

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines/poles and terrain while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Based on recorded data, the pilot of the aerial application flight maneuvered the airplane around the intended field to be sprayed prior to the accident. The wreckage was found near the field along with powerlines/poles, which exhibited features of an in-flight collision by the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation. Based on the available evidence, the reason the airplane impacted the powerlines, poles, and terrain could not be determined. The pilot’s cardiovascular disease placed him at increased risk of acute impairment and incapacitation. However, available medical evidence is insufficient to establish whether acute impairment or incapacitation occurred and in the absence of clear operational evidence, it could not be determined whether the pilot’s cardiovascular disease contributed to the crash. Based on the available evidence, the reason the airplane impacted the powerlines, poles, and terrain could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.