One Witness Stated That It Looked Like The Pilot, “Didn’T Pull Out Of A Barrel Roll.”

Location: Clayton, LA Accident Number: CEN21LA223
Date & Time: May 18, 2021, 13:25 Local Registration: N887LA
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502A Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

On May 18, 2021, about 1325 central daylight time, an Air Tractor airplane, N887LA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clayton, Louisiana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

The operator stated that the pilot had completed several flights already and was in the processing of spraying product on a field when the accident happened.

Witnesses stated that the airplane had just completed a spray pass and was in the process of turning around. During the turn, the airplane pitched up and rolled left into a steep bank so that the wings were almost upside down. One witness stated that it looked like the pilot, “didn’t pull out of a barrel roll.” The airplane “fell out of the sky” and impacted the ground inverted oriented on a southeast heading.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov