No fatalities

Air Tractor AT-400A Strikes Railroad Berm on Takeoff in Lombardville, Illinois (N36612)

Lombardville, IL, United States

On July 29, 2013, an AIR TRACTOR INC AT-400A (registration N36612) operated by WOODLEY CRAIG S was involved in an aviation accident near Lombardville, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

On July 29, 2013, an Air Tractor AT-400A (N36612) sustained substantial damage after losing control during takeoff and striking a railroad berm near Lombardville, Illinois. The pilot was uninjured.

Accident Details

On July 29, 2013, at approximately 0530 central daylight time, an Air Tractor Incorporated AT-400A, registration N36612, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a private grass runway near Lombardville, Illinois. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Woodley Aerial Leasing Incorporated of Walnut, Illinois.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, control of the airplane was lost. The right wing subsequently struck a railroad berm adjacent to the runway. The airplane spun around and came to rest on a set of railroad tracks. The pilot reported no pre-mishap mechanical problems with the airplane.

Aircraft and Operator

The airplane was an Air Tractor AT-400A, a single-engine agricultural aircraft. The flight was being conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as a local aerial application operation. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Damage

The left wing sustained substantial damage. Additionally, the main landing gear and propeller were damaged. The aircraft came to rest on railroad tracks adjacent to the runway.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot