Air Tractor INC AT-502B accident near Center Cross, Virginia, July 8, 2022
On July 8, 2022 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 1998 Air Tractor INC AT-502B, registered N50075, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Center Cross, Virginia. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2022 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Center Cross, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT-502B, built 1998 · all AT-502Bs on the register
- Registration
- N50075 · no longer on the register · serial 502B-0494
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane was fueled before beginning the agricultural application flight. About an hour into the flight, the pilot was climbing the airplane following a spray pass when he heard a “bang” and the engine lost power about 350 ft above ground level (agl). The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing and stated that the airplane touched down with too much speed. It subsequently bounced and continued into trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that there was fuel on board, and examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would preclude normal operation. The power turbine blade displayed some rubbing indicative of rotation of the power section at the time of impact; however, the rubbing damage was limited and was consistent with low or reduced power. The reason for the loss of power could not be determined based on the available information.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,900 hours in all; 3,100 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 1, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,407 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 1, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 9,400 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG (turboprop); 10,297 hours total
- Operator: Bank Of Utah Trustee
The flight
- Departed from: XSA Tappahannock VA at 6:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 pm from FYJ, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFYJ 081835Z AUTO 17006KT 10SM CLR 29/21 A3002 RMK AO1 T02910214=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on July 5, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memo of Conversation - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records Excerpt | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Examination Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Memorandum for Record - Disposition of Fuel Control Components | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N50075 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.