CEN20LA143

Factual narrative

On April 7, 2020, about 1945 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502 airplane, N9185D, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Pecan Gap, Texas. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight. The pilot was conducting aerial applications when the accident occurred. There were no witnesses to the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the site noted that the airplane collided with the top of a tree at the edge of the field before it impacted the field. Several airplane pieces, including the engine, were found along the debris path to the main wreckage. A post-crash fire consumed a majority of the fuselage. There were no witnesses to the accident. The engine impact-separated into two pieces during the accident sequence; rotational scoring was observed on the turbine blades. Three propeller blades remained in the propeller hub, which also remained attached to the front section of the engine. Two propeller blade tips were sheared off; each blade exhibited lengthwise and chordwise twisting. After the wreckage was recovered, National Transportation Safety Board investigators examined the fuselage at the salvage facility. The post-crash fire and impact damage limited the extent of the examination; however, no pre-impact discrepancies were noted with the flight controls. The pilot initially survived the accident and received medical care. Neither an autopsy nor toxicological test was performed; however, a review of the pilot’s FAA medical history and medical treatment did not find any evidence of a preexisting medical condition that could have contributed to the accident. Photo 1: Airplane wreckage FAA photo The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight. There were no witnesses to the accident, but the wreckage path was consistent with an in-flight collision with a tree near the edge of the field and subsequent impact with terrain. Examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. An autopsy was not performed; however, a review of the pilot’s medical history and postaccident medical treatment did not reveal any evidence that a preexisting medical condition contributed to the accident. The evidence is consistent with the pilot not maintaining adequate clearance from the tree, and the airplane’s collision with a tree and impact with terrain. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Not specified
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot