Air Tractor INC AT-802A accident near Newellton, Louisiana, January 19, 2021
On January 19, 2021 at about 8:35 pm local time, a 2013 Air Tractor INC AT-802A, registered N523BB, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Newellton, Louisiana. 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 powerlines/poles and terrain while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 19, 2021 · about 8:35 pm local time
- Place
- Newellton, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT-802A, built 2013 · all AT-802As on the register
- Registration
- N523BB · no longer on the register · serial 802A-0493
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Based on recorded data, the pilot of the aerial application flight maneuvered the airplane around the intended field to be sprayed prior to the accident. The wreckage was found near the field along with powerlines/poles, which exhibited features of an in-flight collision by the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation. Based on the available evidence, the reason the airplane impacted the powerlines, poles, and terrain could not be determined. The pilot’s cardiovascular disease placed him at increased risk of acute impairment and incapacitation. However, available medical evidence is insufficient to establish whether acute impairment or incapacitation occurred and in the absence of clear operational evidence, it could not be determined whether the pilot’s cardiovascular disease contributed to the crash. Based on the available evidence, the reason the airplane impacted the powerlines, poles, and terrain could not be determined.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 30,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W Canada PT6A-65AG (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Tensas Flying Service LLC
The flight
- Departed from: St. Joseph LA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KTVR, 20 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTVR 192053Z AUTO 36009KT 10SM BKN060 16/06 A3031 RMK AO2 SLP271 T01610056 55002 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on July 28, 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 | Case Findings | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Toxicology | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Recorded Flight Data - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Attachment 1 to Recorded Flight Data - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | 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.