Air Tractor AT 602 N629LA accident near Bismarck, Illinois

Probable cause

A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight; a witness saw the airplane maneuvering before entering a flat spin. Ground scars at accident site were consistent with a wings- and nose-level impact attitude. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies.

The airplane was not equipped with an elevator down-spring or rudder-aileron interconnect system. According to the manufacturer, these systems were required and improved the stability and handling characteristics of the airplane. Although the circumstances of the accident are consistent with a stall/spin and loss of control, the reason for the loss of control could not be determined based on the available information; and whether the lack of the elevator down-spring and rudder-aileron interconnect systems contributed to the loss of control was not determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA270 for the full record.