Air Tractor AT 502B N4221G

Summary

On 5 May 2015 at about 17:41 local time, a Air Tractor AT 502B registered N4221G, operated by Lejeune Aerial Applications LLC, was involved in an accident near Basile, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 May 2015 at 17:41

Classification

Accident

Location

Basile, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

30.4853, -92.6006

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT 502B

Registration

N4221G

Category

Airplane

Year built

2009

Engines

1

Operator

Lejeune Aerial Applications LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Basile → Basile

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15LA222

1 person died.

The pilot’ failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The operator reported that the pilot was applying dry, granular fertilizer to a rice field. During the last application pass, the airplane's left wing struck trees. The airplane then struck several additional trees, traveled about 550 ft, and impacted terrain. A postimpact fire ensued and subsequently consumed a majority of the airplane. Although the wreckage was significantly fragmented and damaged by fire, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine were noted that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed tree strikes and left wing damage that were consistent with the pilot's failing to maintain clearance from the trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.