Air Tractor INC AT-602 accident near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, June 3, 2026
On June 3, 2026 at about 6:20 pm local time, a 1998 Air Tractor INC AT-602, registered N50050, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2026 · about 6:20 pm local time
- Place
- Breaux Bridge, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT-602, built 1998 · all AT-602s on the register
- Registration
- N50050 · registry record · serial 602-0485
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On June 3, 2026, about 1320 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602 airplane, N50050, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural application flight. The pilot reported that the engine started normally and ran flawlessly for the initial portion of the 5-minute flight. The first indication of a problem was a short surge of engine power, followed shortly afterward by a second surge and an increase in engine temperature. The pilot retarded the power lever in response. Immediately afterward, the engine surged one more time with flames observed at the left exhaust. The engine then completely lost power and the pilot subsequently executed a forced landing to a field. The airplane remained upright with damage to the aft fuselage. Airframe and engine examinations are planned once the airplane is recovered from the accident site.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Tri-Air Farms LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Mamou LA at 6:15 pm
- Destination: PVT Mamou LA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from KLFT, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KLFT 031753Z VRB05KT 10SM FEW025 30/23 A3006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.