Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the crops during an aerial application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was conducting an aerial application spray pass when the airplane made contact with the crop which pulled the airplane down. The airplane struck the ground. The left wing of the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA285 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 23, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Walcott, Iowa
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor Inc AT-802A
- N-number
- N802BF
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2001
- 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.