Air Tractor Inc AT 502B N61150 accident near Sacramento, California

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 analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14LA267 for the full record.