Probable cause
The pilot's failure to avoid electrical wires during low-altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a wire strike.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while in a left turn during an aerial application flight the airplane encountered a gust of wind and began to "shake", so he leveled the wings momentarily before continuing the turn. He further reported that he was looking at the field instead of where he was turning and when the airplane was 30-50 feet above the ground he looked up and saw electrical wires. The right wing tip struck the electrical wires and the airplane made a forced landing in a nearby pond.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the both wings and fuselage.
The pilot also reported that during the day of the accident he was under stress and his head was "in another place".
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA030 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 18, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Paragould, Arkansas
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor Inc AT 502
- N-number
- N4218E
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2010
- 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.