Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the tower during low-level agricultural operations.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that while spraying for mosquitos, the airplane’s right wing struck an unmarked tower. The pilot flew the airplane back to the departure airport, during which the right wing stalled when the airplane slowed for landing. The airplane then ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing skin during the in-flight collision with the tower. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA318 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 6, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Nappanee, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- (C03)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Air Tractor Inc AT-602
- N-number
- N602RE
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2011
- 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.