Pilot Debrief

AIR TRACTOR INC AT-301 near Davenport, ND — 2025-08-07

Investigation ongoingCEN25LA306
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Date
2025-08-07
Location
Davenport, ND, USA
Aircraft
AIR TRACTOR INC AT-301
Registration
N23069
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On August 6, 2025, at 2035 central daylight time, an Air Tractor Inc AT-301 airplane, N23069, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Davenport, North Dakota. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. The pilot stated that the flight proceeded as expected, and he completed the aerial application successfully. During the return climb to approximately 500 ft above ground level, he noticed the left fuel tank was low and switched fuel gauge indications to the left fuel tank. Shortly afterwards, the low fuel light illuminated, and the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. He immediately actuated the wobble pump and attempted to restore fuel flow manually, but the engine did not respond. As the airplane began to lose altitude, he prepared for and performed a forced landing in a nearby cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage during the forced landing. The airplane was retained for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (total) · Enroute
  • Engine Failure Enroute
View NTSB preliminary report

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