Air Tractor AT502 N571LA

Summary

On 23 May 2020 at about 20:59 local time, a Air Tractor AT502 registered N571LA, operated by Gypsy Air Inc, was involved in an accident near Bunkie, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 May 2020 at 20:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Bunkie, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Bunkie Flying Service (2LA4)

Coordinates

30.9306, -92.1792

Aircraft

Air Tractor AT502

Registration

N571LA

Category

Airplane

Year built

2005

Operator

Gypsy Air Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bunkie → Bunkie

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20CA190

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during takeoff, when he pushed the control stick forward to raise the tail of the airplane, the airplane went to the left. He tried to correct back to the right but was unsuccessful. In an effort to prevent an accident, he decided to attempt the takeoff and became airborne briefly before the wheels impacted the sugarcane field. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. He stated that he was wearing a helmet and only received minor injuries during the accident. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.