Fairchild SA227-AC accident near Prescott, Arizona, January 13, 2026
On January 13, 2026 at about 1:24 pm local time, a 1982 Fairchild SA227-AC, registered N370AE, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Prescott, Arizona (Prescott Rgnl/Ernest A Love Fl airport). It was a positioning flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 12, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 13, 2026 · about 1:24 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Prescott, Arizona · Prescott Rgnl/Ernest A Love Fl · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Fairchild SA227-AC, built 1982 · all SA227-ACs on the register
- Registration
- N370AE · registry record · serial AC-506
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On January 13, 2026, about 0624 mountain standard time, a Fairchild SA227-AC airplane, N370AE, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC), Prescott, Arizona. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 positioning flight. According to the pilot, he began the takeoff roll on Runway 3R for a scheduled flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX), Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot reported that during a normal takeoff roll, when the aircraft was accelerating through about 50 kts, the airplane began to veer left and subsequently departed the left side of the runway, entering the runway safety area. The airplane then crossed a taxiway before the pilot maneuvered it back onto the runway and brought it to a stop. During the runway excursion, the airplane collided with runway edge lights and a taxiway sign, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane and engine were recovered and will be examined.
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 control on ground during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 28,491.5 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, February 19, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 14,500 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Ameriflight LLC
The flight
- Destination: PHX Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 03R, 7,619 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observation at 6:00 am from KPRC
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPRC 131253Z 20004KT 10SM CLR M02/M07 A3035 RMK AO2 SLP261 T10221072 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N370AE on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Fairchild SA227 86 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Fairchild 616 aircraft on the register
- Prescott Rgnl/Ernest A Love Field · nearest airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Arizona 2,983 since 1982 · 466 in the last ten years
- Arizona 8,410 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR26LA080.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.