Air Tractor INC AT-502 accident near Blackfoot, Idaho, June 21, 2011
On June 21, 2011 at about 10:21 pm local time, a Air Tractor INC AT-502, registered N1515P, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Blackfoot, Idaho (Mccarley Field Airport). 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 partial loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 2011 · about 10:21 pm local time
- Place
- Blackfoot, Idaho · Mccarley Field Airport · 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-502 · all AT-502s on the register
- Registration
- N1515P · no longer on the register · serial 502-0149
- 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, during takeoff for a local aerial application flight, the airplane became airborne slightly beyond the normal rotation point. As the airplane approached the departure end of the runway, the engine did not develop enough power to maintain flight. The pilot stated that due to the amount of runway remaining, he was unable to abort the takeoff. He then lowered the nose in an effort to gain more airspeed but did not jettison the chemical load in the hopper. Subsequently, the airplane struck multiple trees beyond the departure end of the runway and came to rest upright. Company personnel reported that, per the pilot's request prior to the accident flight, the airplane was loaded with an amount of chemical that was similar to amounts that he had been using throughout the day. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Signatures observed on the engine's internal components exhibited characteristics of the engine developing power at the time of impact, likely in a high power range. The airplane was found to be within weight and balance limitations at the time of the accident. The reason for the engine to not develop sufficient power for the airplane to maintain a positive rate of climb could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 18,979 hours in all; 4,500 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 95 in the last 30 days; 18,979 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 15, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,518 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 7, 2011; 95 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6A-15AG (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Vector Disease Control International
The flight
- Departed from: U02 Blackfoot ID at 10:21 pm
- Destination: U02 Blackfoot ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 4,314 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from PIH, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.