Air Tractor INC AT 502B accident near Sacramento, California, June 23, 2014
On June 23, 2014 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 1995 Air Tractor INC AT 502B, registered N61150, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Sacramento, California. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not available for postaccident examination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 2014 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sacramento, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT 502B B, built 1995 · all AT 502Bs on the register
- Registration
- N61150 · no longer on the register · serial 502B-0294
- 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 of the agricultural aerial application flight reported that, while he was returning to base and when the airplane was about 300 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly lost all power. He attempted to land on a road, but the airplane was unable to reach it, so he landed in a flooded field. During the landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane abruptly stopped and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The operator did not provide any aircraft logbooks for examination nor did the operator make the airplane available for examination.
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 (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 18,723 hours in all; 2,230 in this make and model; 250 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 2, 2014
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6A (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Farm Air Flying Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: Sacramento CA
- Destination: Sacramento CA
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from SMF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on November 24, 2014. 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's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Correspondence | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 1 - Tail Section Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | 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.
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.