What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-10-08 involved an Air Tractor AT-401, registration N4531M, at Newellton, LA.

Agricultural Airplane Descends into Lake After Loss of Control in Fog (N4531M)

On October 8, 1998, an Air Tractor AT-401 (registration N4531M) was involved in an aviation accident near Newellton, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an inadvertent entry into adverse weather conditions. A related factor was the fog. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

An agricultural airplane, flown by a commercial pilot without an instrument rating, descended into a lake after a loss of control following an inadvertent entry into adverse weather conditions, including a dense fog bank.

Accident Summary

An agricultural airplane, operated by a commercial pilot who did not hold an instrument rating, descended into a lake after the pilot lost control of the aircraft during an inadvertent entry into adverse weather conditions. The accident occurred when a 'very dense' fog bank, extending from the ground to 300 to 400 feet above ground level, moved rapidly into the area.

Weather Conditions

The National Weather Service reported that weather conditions across northeastern Louisiana at the time included winds calm to 3 knots from the north, visibility of 1/4 statute mile in fog, a ceiling of 100 feet, and a temperature dewpoint spread of 2 degrees Celsius.

Pilot Information

The pilot had accumulated over 20,000 hours of aerial application flying, including more than 4,000 hours in the accident aircraft.

Aircraft Information

The aircraft was not equipped for flight into instrument meteorological conditions. No pre-impact anomalies were found with the airframe or the engine.

1998-10-08: Air Tractor AT-401 (N4531M) — Newellton, LA