Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B near Bonita, LA — 2024-07-11

Final reportCEN24FA260
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Date
2024-07-11
Location
Bonita, LA, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B
Registration
N6177J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane while at low altitude enroute to their aerial application flights.

NTSB narrative

Both agricultural airplanes were en route to their respective agricultural aerial application locations when they collided about 175 ft above ground level (agl). After the collision, N6177J descended into the terrain and was destroyed and N795LA sustained minor damage and landed at the departure airstrip. According to the pilot of N795LA, he departed the private airstrip and observed N6177J about 100 ft to his left at the same altitude. He pulled back on the control stick to avoid N6177J. Shortly after he felt an impact and heard a bang, but he was able to control the airplane after the collision. The two pilots were not communicating by radio. The investigation revealed that both pilots were in positions to see the other airplane in time to avoid a collision. An examination of both airplanes revealed no evidence of any preexisting malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation. The toxicology results for the pilot of N6177J indicated that he had used the medications oxybutynin and diphenhydramine, both of which have a potential to cause sedation and cognitive and psychomotor slowing. Although the pilot may have been experiencing impairing effects of these medications at the time of the accident, no more specific conclusions about his impairment could be drawn. Additionally, his autopsy report indicated atherosclerotic disease, which is associated with some increased risk of experiencing a sudden impairing or incapacitating cardiovascular event, such as arrhythmia, heart attack, or stroke. There was no autopsy evidence that such an event occurred; however, such an event does not leave reliable autopsy evidence if it occurs immediately before death.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilots failed to communicate their positions before the collision.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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