Casualties unknown

Agricultural Aircraft N60885 Impacts Ground After Wake Turbulence Encounter During Dense Fog Turn

Holmwood, LA, US

On February 19, 1985, a Boeing A75N1 (registration N60885) was involved in an aviation accident near Holmwood, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft encountered wake turbulence from the lead aircraft, entered a vertical left bank, descended, and impacted the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N60885
Aircraft registered N60885. Photo: ZLEA / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During a repositioning flight in dense fog, the second of two agricultural aircraft encountered wake turbulence from the lead plane while turning, entered a vertical left bank, descended, and impacted the ground.

Incident

Two aircraft were being repositioned from one agricultural airstrip to another. While en route, the flight encountered dense fog. The lead pilot initiated a 180-degree turn. At that time, the second aircraft, N60885, was approximately 100 feet behind the lead aircraft at an altitude of about 150 feet above ground level.

Wake Turbulence Encounter

While turning, N60885 encountered wake turbulence from the lead aircraft. The aircraft entered a vertical left bank, descended, and subsequently impacted the ground.

Investigation Findings

The investigation determined that the aircraft encountered wake turbulence from the lead aircraft during the turn, entered a vertical left bank, descended, and impacted the ground.

Probable cause

The aircraft encountered wake turbulence from the lead aircraft, entered a vertical left bank, descended, and impacted the ground.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Feb 1985 Boeing A75N1 accident near Holmwood, LA?

During a repositioning flight in dense fog, the second of two agricultural aircraft encountered wake turbulence from the lead plane while turning, entered a vertical left bank, descended, and impacted the ground.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Feb 1985 involved a Boeing A75N1, registration N60885, at Holmwood, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft encountered wake turbulence from the lead aircraft, entered a vertical left bank, descended, and impacted the ground.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X35704. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.