Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper airplane pitch control while maneuvering at an altitude that was too low for recovery.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was performing aerial application of chemicals to a field when the airplane began to settle during a low-altitude turn. The settling was consistent with flight at a high angle-of-attack or high drag condition, and the airplane may have been near or at its stall speed. The pilot was unable to recover from the descent so he made an emergency landing during which the airplane impacted an embankment.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA472 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 4, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Simmesport, Louisiana
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor Inc AT-301
- N-number
- N3655G
- 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.