Casualties unknown

2002-07-26: Air Tractor 301 (N3167P) — Ulen, MN

Ulen, MN, US

On July 26, 2002, an Air Tractor 301 (registration N3167P) was involved in an aviation accident near Ulen, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot not performing an aborted takeoff. A factor was the soybean crop. 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 airplane sustained damage after impacting a soybean field and nosing over during takeoff from a private airstrip. The pilot reported abnormal acceleration, and a postaccident examination found no anomalies.

Accident Details

During takeoff from a private airstrip, the airplane impacted a soybean field and nosed over, resulting in damage. The sequence of events began shortly after departure when the aircraft failed to accelerate normally, according to the pilot.

Pilot Report

In a written statement, the pilot described the departure as normal initially. However, at the midpoint of the takeoff roll, the aircraft did not seem to accelerate as expected. The pilot rechecked the flaps, propeller, mixture, and power settings. Before corrective action could be taken, the airplane's booms caught the soybean crop, pulling the aircraft down until it became inverted.

Examination

A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that could explain the loss of acceleration or the subsequent impact.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020801X01284. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.