Air Tractor INC AT 502B accident near Princeton, California, June 13, 2014
On June 13, 2014 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1994 Air Tractor INC AT 502B, registered N502JS, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Princeton, California. 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
The partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 13, 2014 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Princeton, California · 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 B, built 1994 · all AT 502Bs on the register
- Registration
- N502JS · registry record · serial 502B-0248
- 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 from a dirt airstrip, the airplane lifted off normally but that, when it reached an altitude of about 10 to 15 ft above the ground, it felt like the engine was experiencing a partial loss of power. The airplane then settled toward the ground. The pilot added full power, but it still felt like the engine was only producing partial power. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was test run at various power settings with no anomalies noted.
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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,453 hours in all; 765 in this make and model; 249 in the last 90 days; 131 in the last 30 days; 1,363 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 26, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,313 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 10, 2014; 266 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,400 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG (turboprop); 5,407 hours total
- Operator: Michaud Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: Princeton CA at 6:00 pm
- Destination: Princeton CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway N, 2,500 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KOVE, 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.