Casualties unknown

1998-08-09: Air Tractor AT-301 (N4443S) — Tom Kiefer — Edgeley, ND

Edgeley, ND, US

On August 9, 1998, an Air Tractor AT-301 (registration N4443S) operated by Tom Kiefer was involved in an aviation accident near Edgeley, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crash was caused by high density altitude and the aircraft departing at a weight exceeding its maximum certificated gross weight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An agricultural aircraft crashed into a cornfield after an overweight departure from a short runway, according to pilot reports.

What happened

During a takeoff attempt from a 2,485-foot asphalt runway, an agricultural aircraft experienced an uncontrolled flight path. The pilot reported that the aircraft's weight at departure was 5,895 pounds, which exceeded its certificated gross weight of 5,000 pounds.

As the pilot reached the end of the runway and attempted to pull up, the aircraft entered a three-point attitude. In an attempt to manage the situation, the pilot began to dump the aircraft's load. The aircraft flew in an uncontrolled manner for approximately 100 yards before the right wing struck a gravel road. This impact sent the aircraft sideways into a cornfield, where it traveled for 300 feet before coming to a complete stop.

At the time of the accident, the temperature was 84 degrees Fahrenheit with light and variable winds.

Probable cause

The crash was caused by high density altitude and the aircraft departing at a weight exceeding its maximum certificated gross weight.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10798. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.