Air Tractor AT 502 accident near Harlingen, Texas, April 9, 2019
On April 9, 2019 at about 3:33 pm local time, a 1987 Air Tractor AT 502, registered N7314D, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Harlingen, Texas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines during low altitude flight operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to a sedating medication.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 9, 2019 · about 3:33 pm local time
- Place
- Harlingen, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor AT 502, built 1987
- Registration
- N7314D · no longer on the register · serial 502-0003
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting an agricultural flight when witnesses observed the airplane flying at a low altitude before it collided with power transmission lines and terrain. The airplane was destroyed during a postimpact fire. Examination of the airplane wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology testing detected the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine in the pilot’s blood. Considering that postmortem redistribution of diphenhydramine may result in central levels being two-to-three times higher than peripheral levels, the circulating level was likely in the therapeutic range at the time of the accident. Given the pilot’s years of experience and familiarity with the agricultural airplane, it is reasonable to consider diminished reaction times and flying performance attributable to the use of sedating medication likely contributed to the accident.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › OTC medication › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 27,400 hours in all; 7,500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 24, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,822.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 8,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-15AG (turboprop); 9,763 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Raymondville TX at 3:05 pm
- Destination: PVT Raymondville TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 3:52 pm from HRL, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KHRL 091552Z 19015KT 10SM CLR 28/14 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP148 T02780139=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
12 documents, released by the NTSB on July 15, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Statements | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Logbook (Excerpts) | PDF, 89 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Airframe Logbook (Excerpts) | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Logbook (Excerpts) | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Propeller Logbook (Excerpts) | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB Accident Site and Wreckage Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | NTSB Medical Factual Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Pilot Toxicology Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Weather Data | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Photos | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.