Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502B near Sacramento, CA — 2014-06-23

Final reportWPR14LA267
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Date
2014-06-23
Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT 502B
Registration
N61150
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not available for postaccident examination.

NTSB narrative

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a different landing area before engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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