What happened
On May 18, 2024, at approximately 20:15 CDT, an Air Tractor AT-502, registration N15189, was involved in an accident near Covert, Kansas, while operating under Part 137 agricultural flight regulations.
During a turnaround following the second swath run, the pilot experienced a sudden tail drop and observed that nearly all engine gauges had moved past the redline, with the exception of the Interstage Turbine Temperature (ITT) gauge. The pilot attempted to adjust engine power, but the engine remained unresponsive to movements of the power lever.
In response to the engine malfunction, the pilot performed an off-field landing on a nearby gravel road. During the landing sequence, the aircraft struck tree branches and subsequently ground looped into a roadside ditch. The impact caused substantial damage to both wings. The pilot was not injured. The pilot noted that engine power could only be reduced after the aircraft came to a complete stop by moving the Start Control Lever to the Fuel Cut-Off "C" position.