# NTSB FTW94LA257: Air Tractor AT-502, N9152C, Bosco, LA, August 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1994, 14:11 local (19:11 UTC)
- Place: Bosco, LA
- Coordinates: 32.510231, -92.08081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5102&lon=-92.0808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19130
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19130/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA257

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE TELEPHONE POLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - pole
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE IMPACTED A TELEPHONE POLE WHILE APPLYING PESTICIDES TO A COTTON FIELD. A POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On August 1, 1994, at 1411 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N9152C, was destroyed when it struck a pole and the ground near Bosco, Louisiana.  The airplane, owned and operated by Keahey Flying Service and flown by a commercial pilot, was on a local aerial application flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot received serious burn injuries.

The aircraft departed from the Columbia, Louisiana, Municipal Airport at 1315 central daylight time and proceeded to Bosco, Louisiana, for aerial application of pesticide to a cotton field. The pilot stated that he finished spraying the field in an east/west direction.  He further stated that he then started his "trim" passes in a north/south direction.  According to the pilot's enclosed statement, the right wing struck a pole about 4 feet from the top of the pole and about 6 feet inboard of the right wing "causing the aircraft to crash about 300 yards from the point of impact."  The airplane was consumed by post-crash fire.  A nearby witness pulled the pilot from the burning plane immediately after the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9152C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9152C), registered now, S/N 5020205, built 1993 (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: 502-0205
- Airframe hours: 755
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: H. Drew Keahey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1994, 325 hours before
- Departed: F86, COLUMBIA, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 16,349 total, 325 in this make and model, 16,212 as pilot in command, 325 in the last 90 days, 141 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F

## 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 19940801019829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940801019829A), Aug 1, 1994: Airtrc AT502, Bosco, LA, Destroyed. Struck a telephone pole during a spray run. Aircraft consumed by post crash fire.

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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