Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a pole during an agricultural application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, the airplane hit a pole. The pilot added that he subsequently landed in a bean field.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rudder.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA265 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 4, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Truman, Arkansas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Air Tractor Inc AT 802
- N-number
- N4170S
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2007
- 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.