Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines during an aerial application run.
NTSB analysis
During an aerial application run, the agricultural airplane impacted a set of power lines. The pilot had flown the field 6 to 7 times and reported that he knew the power transmissions lines were there. The airplane impacted terrain approximately a mile from the power lines, following the collision with the power lines.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA225 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 22, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ville Platte, Louisiana
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor Inc AT-602
- N-number
- N5189P
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.