# Accident 20251105020419A: Air Tractor Inc AT-502, Gueydan, LA, November 5, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 5, 2025, 13:30 local time
- Place: Gueydan, LA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: 91CG
- Location: 30.0214° N, 92.5139° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0214&lon=-92.5139&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7315L, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7315L) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-502 (registry code 0390303, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A series (registry code 52032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502
- Reported engine: P&W PT6A SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 15,826 total, 7,826 in this make and model, 103 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN26LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA036) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251105020419A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS OVER A RICE FIELD DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, UTILIZING THE BACK-TO-BACK SPRAYING METHOD. AFTER COMPLETING APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE FIELD, THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE FACILITY TO RELOAD WITH INSECTICIDE.

UPON RETURNING TO THE FIELD, THE PILOT COMPLETED ONE NORTH–SOUTH SPRAY PASS. WHILE TURNING BACK TO INITIATE A SOUTHBOUND PASS, A FLOCK OF BIRDS SUDDENLY TOOK FLIGHT AS THE PILOT WAS DESCENDING TO DISPENSING ALTITUDE. WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID THE BIRDS, THE PILOT LOST SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF THE AIRCRAFT’S ALTITUDE, RESULTING IN CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN (CFIT).

THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND FIRST, CAUSING APPROXIMATELY TWO-THIRDS OF THE WING TO SEPARATE FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR AND PROPELLER ALSO IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SKIDDED ALONG THE WET RICE FIELD, CROSSED OVER AN EAST–WEST BERM, AND CAME TO REST ON A NORTH–SOUTH BERM.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN26LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA036), Nov 5, 2025: Air Tractor AT-502 (N7315L), Gueydan, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness and clearance from terrain while maneuvering to avoid birds.

## Other reports on N7315L (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20160530008429I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160530008429I), May 30, 2016: Air Tractor Inc AT-502 (N7315L), Gueydan, LA, Minor damage. Pilot stated he saw powerline too late and attempted to climb over it.
- [Incident 20010515010339I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010515010339I), May 15, 2001: Airtrc AT502 (N7315L), Morse, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot experienced an engine during aerial application. A landing was attempted on a narrow gravel road. The pilot received no injuries. The aircraft…
- [Accident 19920708024339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920708024339A), Jul 8, 1992: Airtrc AT502 (N7315L), Mamou, LA, Substantial damage. Too low on final for landing. Right wing hit telephone pole. Swung right out off control. Slid sideways on impact.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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