Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aerial application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was lining up the airplane for the last spray run of the field but that he had no recollection of the accident. An examination of the wreckage site revealed that the airplane was operating at high speed in a wings-level attitude when it impacted terrain. The airplane traveled more than 200 yards following the initial impact before coming to rest inverted in the field. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions, and the operator reported that there was no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA384 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 26, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor Inc AT 602
- N-number
- N3026R
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2013
- 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.