On June 26, 1993, an Air Tractor AT-502 (registration N1504Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Petronila, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: HIS LACK OF ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY FROM THE STALL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While performing swath runs and turn-around maneuvers, an airplane rolled inverted at about 300 feet. The pilot attempted recovery but lacked altitude, and the aircraft impacted the ground in a steep descent.
Accident Sequence
The airplane was observed conducting several swath runs and turn-around maneuvers. During these maneuvers, witnesses noted that the airplane made progressively steeper turns and climbed higher with each turn-around loop. At an altitude of approximately 300 feet above ground level, the airplane rolled to an inverted position.
Witness Report
A witness stated that the pilot initiated a recovery by pulling the airplane out of the maneuver, but did not have sufficient altitude to complete the recovery. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground in a flat attitude while still in a steep descent angle.