NTSB Factual Report

On July 8, 2007, at 1400 central daylight time, a single-engine Air Tractor AT-400 agricultural airplane, N3164N, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while maneuvering near the Delhi Airport (0M9), near Delhi, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane was operated by and registered to CLR AIR Ag Services, LLC., of St. Joseph, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the positioning flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that shortly after departing the Delhi Airport, he noted a field that he was familiar with, and elected to practice a few "normal ag turns." The pilot entered the field on the north side and on a westerly heading. The pilot made the pass, pulled-up at the west side of the field, and then turned down to the northwest. He then began another 180-degree turn back towards the field. While in the turn he extended the flaps approximately 10 degrees. After the pilot completed this turn, he lined-up for his next pass; however he was a "little high" entering the field, so he "pushed the nose of the airplane down and reduced power." The pilot added that as soon as he reduced the engine power and lowered the nose, the airplane "did a forward flip to inverted flight condition." The pilot responded by applying full engine power as he pulled the nose of the airplane down below the horizon and retracted the flaps. The pilot added that his intentions were to increase his airspeed and then rollout. The pilot added that he was unable to get the nose of the airplane below the horizon. The aircraft was "sinking, but the airspeed was remaining the same." The pilot added that the airplane was getting closer to the ground and his airspeed was not increasing, so he decided to just try and roll out wings level to prevent from impacting the ground in the inverted position. The pilot stated that the managed to roll the airplane to the wings level attitude just before impacting the ground.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, the airplane came to rest upright in a confined cornfield. The airplane was found to have sustained structural damage to the left and right wings, the horizontal stabilizer, and the hopper. Signatures on the ground were consistent with an impact with the ground with little forward movement.

The inspector added that two of the four propeller blades were found separated from the propeller hub, and no pre-mishap mechanical deficiencies were noted with the airplane or the engine.

The pilot was issued an FAA second class medical on May 16, 2007. At that time he reported a total of 2,525 flight hours. The pilot provided a written statement to the FAA; however, he did not return a completed NTSB form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident report.

Weather at Monroe Regional Airport, near Monroe, Louisiana, approximately 28 miles west of the accident site, at 1153, was reported as wind from 190 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 76 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.97 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while practicing aerial application turns over a field.