On 8 Oct 2018, an Air Tractor AT 402 Undesignat operated by Leleuxs Flying Service Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Crowley, LA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with vegetation and a subsequent loss of directional control. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot chose to take off from an asphalt road instead of a wet grass airstrip. During the roll, the left wing hit tall vegetation, causing the plane to veer off the road and impact a drainage culvert, resulting in substantial damage.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that he opted not to take off from the wet grass airstrip he normally used. Instead, he decided to initiate the takeoff from the asphalt road that runs parallel to the left side of the airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the left wing of the airplane collided with tall vegetation. As a result, the airplane veered left, exited the road, and subsequently impacted a drainage culvert.
Damage Assessment
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the empennage (tail section).
Pilot's Report
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The incident was therefore attributed solely to the pilot's decision regarding the takeoff location and the resulting encounter with vegetation.
Contributing factors
Causes
PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedDecision related to condition