# NTSB CEN26LA128: Air Tractor AT-502, N5063N, Larose, LA, March 1, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 1, 2026, 11:42 local (17:42 UTC) - Place: Larose, LA · Wooded area near: 349 E 25th St Larose, LA 70373 - Coordinates: 29.56199, -90.341075 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5620&lon=-90.3411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Baton Rouge FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202571 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202571/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202571 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA128 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel planning and his failure to adequately monitor the fuel level during flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of attention performing the task, which led to a loss of situational awareness. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-502B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=0390307), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the aerial application airplane applied the liquid chemical load to a field of sugarcane. The airplane was returning to the private airstrip with an empty hopper when a total loss of engine power occurred. The pilot performed a forced landing to a wooded area. The airplane came to rest upright, and the pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and to both wings. During the airplane recovery operation, less than two gallons of Jet A fuel were recovered from the two wing fuel tanks and the header fuel tank. The pilot reported that during the aerial application work, he lost track of the time, he spent more time in his low-level turns than needed, and the airplane ran out of fuel. The operator reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was not equipped with a low fuel warning light system, nor was it required to be. According to the airframe manufacturer, a low fuel warning light system is available for certain serial numbered airplanes, and the retrofit installation is encouraged in two of their previously released service letters. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5063N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5063N), registered now, S/N 502B-0471, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502 (B) - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (registry code 0390307) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 502B-0471 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 14674 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Old River Applicators LLC, doing business as Old River Applicators LLC - Registered owner: Old River Applicators LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 2025 - Departed: PVT, Cut Off, LA - Destination: PVT, Cut Off, LA - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2025; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 633 total, 350 in this make and model, 554 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KGAO, 8 nm away - METAR: METAR KGAO 011735Z AUTO 11009G17KT 10SM CLR 23/14 A3019 RMK AO2 T02260137 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20260301007219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260301007219A), Mar 1, 2026: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Larose, LA, Substantial damage. While engaged in aerial application operations over the southern fields of Clovelly farms, the pilot experienced a loss of time awareness and did not… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202571. 8.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20057908&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA128%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 7 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20052177&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Old river applicators LLC - owner record of conversation (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20059958&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Owner%20ROC%20-%20Accident%20Information_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Federal aviation administration - inspector's statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20050258&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20ASI%20-%20Statement-Rel.pdf - N5063N (air tractor AT-502B) - airplane fuel system information (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20072305&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26ALA128%20-%20Airplane%20Fuel%20System%20Information_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Air tractor - service letter 178 imbalance of fuel in fuel tanks (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 290 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20060142&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Air%20Tractor%20-%20Service%20Letter%20178_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Air tractor - service letter 178A recommendations to prevent fuel imbalance in fuel tanks for all air tractor models (item 7, PDF, 3 pages, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20062195&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Air%20Tractor%20-%20Service%20Letter%20178A_Redacted-Rel.pdf - National agricultural aviation association - fly safe message manage your fuel to avoid an accident (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20050248&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NAAA%20Fly%20Safe%20Message%2008_18_2025%20-%20Manage%20Your%20Fuel%20To%20Avoid%20An%20Accident-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.