Air Tractor Inc AT-301 N2371V accident near Hartsburg, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff with a tailwind from a wet turf airstrip.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff for the aerial application flight, the airplane settled back toward the ground and struck the surrounding crop at the departure end of the grass strip. During the accident sequence, the airplane came to rest upright and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.

The pilot was familiar with the field and assessed that the grass was taller, recent rain made the ground softer, and a tailwind was present. He considered these factors in his fuel and product calculations and took off with a slightly reduced load and a weight of 7,252 pounds at takeoff. However, he stated that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane’s weight was further reduced for the conditions.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA283 for the full record.