Air Tractor INC AT-602 accident near Robbins, California, May 30, 2026
On May 30, 2026 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 1997 Air Tractor INC AT-602, registered N5111A, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Robbins, 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 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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 2026 · about 4:00 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Robbins, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT-602, built 1997 · all AT-602s on the register
- Registration
- N5111A · registry record · serial 602-0427
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 30, 2026, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602, N5111A, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Robbins, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operations. The pilot reported that he was on an aerial seeding flight and that about 45 minutes after refueling he maneuvered toward a private airstrip to replenish his load. He added that the engine lost all power during a brief climb prior to landing at the airstrip when he was about 300 feet above ground level. After the pilot heard the engine spool down, the airplane started to sink. Subsequently, the pilot configured the airplane for best glide and executed a forced landing in a paddy field. The airplane nosed over shortly after touchdown and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. The airplane and engine were recovered to a secure facility for further 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 enroute (cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Basin Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: Robbins CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 9:00 am from KSMF, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSMF 301553Z 15006KT 10SM FEW250 17/12 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP191 T01670117 $
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.
Other NTSB records under N5111A the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N5111A on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Air Tractor Inc AT-602 245 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Accidents and incidents in California 9,080 since 1982 · 1,097 in the last ten years
- California 27,761 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N5111A 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR26LA204.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.