Air Tractor Inc AT-502 N7315L accident near Gueydan, Louisiana

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness and clearance from terrain while maneuvering to avoid birds.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he took evasive action to avoid birds during an agricultural application flight. He had completed an application pass and was in a turn to set up for the next pass when he encountered the birds. The pilot noted that he lost situational awareness and inadvertently impacted the terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that affected normal operation of the airplane before the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA036 for the full record.