Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's and tractor driver's inadequate visual lookout
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A farm tractor working a cane field adjacent to a private airstrip drove into the airstrip while the agricultural airplane was on its landing roll. The pilot attempted to miss the tractor by veering to the left of the airstrip; however, the right wing impacted the tractor
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 2, 1993, at approximately 1800 central daylight time, a Grumman G 164B airplane was substantially damaged upon impact with a farm tractor while landing at a private airstrip near St. Martinville, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, nor the tractor driver, were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. According to the operator, the airplane was on its landing roll when a farm tractor that was working in an adjacent cane field pulled into the landing strip from right to left. The pilot attempted to avoid striking the vehicle by veering to the left but the right wing struck the tractor resulting in structural damage to the right wing. The wreckage was verbally released to the owner's representative at the accident site by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector. -