Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502B near Princeton, CA — 2014-06-13

Final reportWPR14LA245
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Date
2014-06-13
Location
Princeton, CA, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502B
Registration
N502JS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

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.

NTSB narrative

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon feeling partial power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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