History of Flight
On May 11, 2019, about 0810 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502A airplane, N713LA, impacted a grass field while maneuvering about 6 miles southwest of Eagle Lake, Texas. The commercial pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces. The flight was operated by ANF Air Service Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the visual flight rules (VFR) flight. The flight originated from the operator's private airstrip about 5.5 miles west of Garwood, Texas, at 0743.
The operator, who is the pilot's father and owner of the operation, reported that the pilot used Aeroweather on his cell phone for preflight weather planning. Shortly after departure, the pilot contacted the operator via cell phone and Bluetooth adapter, reporting that he observed fog "rolling in" and that he was flying above the fog layer. The pilot indicated his intention to divert to Eagle Lake Airport (ELA) instead of returning to the operator's airstrip. No further communication was received.
The airplane was equipped with a Garmin Aera 560 GPS unit and a SATLOC M3 unit. Data from the last several minutes showed the airplane entering spiraling turns with decreasing altitude. The GPS data indicated altitudes from 1,595 to 980 ft; the SATLOC data showed altitudes from 1,774 to 172 ft. Airspeed ranged from 80 to 200 knots. The wreckage was discovered around 1030 after the operator contacted first responders.
Two witnesses about half a mile south reported hearing an airplane and then a loud sound, but did not see it. Both reported fog in the area, with visibility clear below the fog layer. One witness estimated fog at 20 ft above ground level, the other at 65 ft.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration commercial pilot certificate and a mechanic certificate for airframe and powerplant maintenance. He did not hold an instrument rating. According to the operator, the pilot had experience flying Air Tractor AT-402, -502, and -802 series airplanes and had no actual or simulated instrument flight time. The pilot was described as "very competent" and "safe" in aerial application operations.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a single-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear aircraft configured for aerial application with an inclinometer but lacking instruments required for instrument flight. The Air Tractor AT-502A Airplane Flight Manual restricted operation to day and night VFR conditions.
Meteorological Information
An automated weather observing system at ELA, about 7.5 miles northeast, reported at 0815: wind 330° at 8 knots gusting to 14 knots, visibility 4 miles with mist, ceiling overcast at 200 ft agl, temperature 18°C, dew point 17°C, altimeter 29.90 inHg. An AIRMET for IFR conditions was active, and two center weather advisories for low IFR conditions were issued at 0736 and 0739. It could not be determined if the pilot accessed weather information before departure; the airplane had no onboard weather capability.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was in a remote, sparsely populated grass field at elevation about 155 ft. Flight control continuity was established with some separations consistent with impact forces. The engine exhibited rotational signatures and a torsional overload fracture on the propeller shaft, indicating power at impact. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were noted.
Additional Information
The investigation referenced FAA advisory circulars and handbooks discussing weather-related accidents, spatial disorientation, and the hazards of VFR flight into IMC. The report noted that 14 CFR Part 137 does not require operators to have a Safety Management System.