Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for a gusting wind during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that shortly after liftoff a wind gust decreased the airplane’s climb performance, which resulted in the main landing gear contacting a 10 ft tall sugarcane crop off the end of the runway. The airplane continued to descend into the field where it landed hard on the right main landing gear and came to rest in a nose down attitude. The right wing sustained substantial damage during the accident. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation during the flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA322 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 15, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Edcouch, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Skalitsky Airport (6TE0)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor AT502
- N-number
- N334LA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2019
- 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.