Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the airplane at a low altitude on an agricultural application flight when the left wing stalled, the nose dropped, and the airplane descended to the ground. The airplane impacted trees and terrain, and came to rest upright about 450 feet from the initial impact location. There was substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, tail surfaces and all control surfaces. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA287 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 13, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Telephone, Texas
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT503
- N-number
- N503AD
- 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.