Air Tractor Inc AT-502B accident near Bonita, LA
On July 11, 2024, an Air Tractor Inc AT-502B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Bonita, LA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 11, 2024
- Place
- Bonita, LA
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor Inc AT-502B · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.930°N, 91.616°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240711194675
Official records · CEN24FA260
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn July 11, 2024, about 1407 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B airplane, N6177J, and an Air Tractor AT-802A airplane, N795LA, were involved in a midair collision near Bonita, Louisiana. The Air Tractor AT-502B was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. The Air Tractor AT-802A sustained minor damage and the pilot was not injured. Both aircraft were operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flights. According to recovered data and witness information, N795LA departed a company airstrip about 2 miles west of the collision location and the planned flight was to provide aerial application to a field about 12 miles east of the airstrip. N6177J departed a company airstrip about 3 miles northeast of the collision location and the planned flight was to provide aerial application to a field about 10 miles southwest of the airstrip (see figure 1). Figure 1. Overview of the airplanes’ departure locations and flight paths. According to the pilot of N795LA, he departed the private airstrip and was traveling east about 200 ft above ground level. About 2 miles after departure, the pilot observed N6177J about 100 ft to his left at the same altitude. The pilot of N795LA pulled back on the control stick to avoid N6177J. Shortly after, he felt an impact and heard a bang, but was able to control the airplane after the collision. The pilot circled the area, noticed N6177J had impacted the terrain, and observed a small ground fire. Due to the unknown damage to his airplane and with the airplane being loaded with chemical, the p
Probable cause
The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane while at low altitude enroute to their aerial application flights.
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Browse: Louisiana · Air Tractor aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
