# Accident 20241008015419A: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Corcoran, CA, October 8, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 8, 2024, 11:00 local time
- Place: Corcoran, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: PXCG
- Location: 36.0360° N, 119.6940° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0360&lon=-119.6940&mi=10
- Aircraft: N243LA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N243LA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-502B (registry code 0390307, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG (registry code 52251, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B
- Reported engine: P&W CANADA PT6A-34AG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 8,074 total, 1,900 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR25LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA011) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241008015419A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON OCTOBER 18, 2024, AN AGRICULTURAL AIR TRACTOR WAS RETURNING FROM DISPENSING OPERATIONS. WHILE APPROACHING THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY MOVED THE FUEL CONTROL LEVER TO THE CUTOFF POSITION, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN A COTTON FIELD, ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM THE END OF A DIRT RUNWAY AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR25LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA011), Oct 8, 2024: Air Tractor AT502 (N243LA), Corcoran, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper manipulation of the condition lever during flight, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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