# NTSB FTW92DRD04: Air Tractor AT-502, N7315L, Mamou, LA, July 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1992, 07:35 local (12:35 UTC)
- Place: Mamou, LA
- Coordinates: 30.489017, -92.409027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4890&lon=-92.4090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DRD04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DRD04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - pole
  - wing - sheared
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE AIRSTRIP PRIOR TO STARTING HIS APPROACH. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH THE RIGHT WING OF THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A TELEPHONE POLE ON THE APPROACH END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN ADJACENT THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7315L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7315L), registered now, S/N 502-0006, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-502
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0006
- Airframe hours: 2267
- Engines: P&W PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Miller'S Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Miller'S Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1992, 373 hours before
- Departed: LA01, BASILE, LA
- Airport: NONE, Mamou, runway 9, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,210 total, 284 in this make and model, 8,952 as pilot in command, 284 in the last 90 days, 99 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920708024339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920708024339A), Jul 8, 1992: Airtrc AT502, Mamou, LA, Substantial damage. Too low on final for landing. Right wing hit telephone pole. Swung right out off control. Slid sideways on impact.

## Other investigations on N7315L (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.

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.

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