Air Tractor AT502 accident near Lisse, Texas, May 8, 2009
On May 8, 2009 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Air Tractor AT502, registered N248LF, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Lisse, Texas (Eagle Lake Airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 2009 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lisse, Texas · Eagle Lake Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor AT502 A
- Registration
- N248LF · registry record · serial 502A-0192
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was flying downwind approximately 50 feet above ground level, on an agricultural application pass, when the engine quit. The pilot landed straight ahead and hit two levees and a canal bank before coming to rest upside down. There was substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the tail surfaces, but only minor injuries to the pilot, who was the only occupant. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident scene said that his visual check of the fuel in the airplane and in the operator’s supply facilities showed fuel that was clean and uncontaminated. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined. Weather reported at the time of the accident was 10 miles visibility, with few clouds at 3,700 feet, southerly winds at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots with a temperature of 90 degrees and dew point of 72 degrees.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 30,000 hours in all; 10,000 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 30,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 18, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,141 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 13, 2009; 44 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 10,480 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney PT6A-45A (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Lissie Flying Service Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: Lissie TX
- Destination: Lissie TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KSGR, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N248LF the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.