What happened
On June 5, 2025, at 11:55 central daylight time, an XAG P100 Pro (registration N231CU) was performing an aerial application flight near Pontiac, Illinois. The unmanned aerial system (UAS), operated by NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS INC under Part 137 regulations, was hovering approximately 10 feet above the ground while spraying fertilizer over an agricultural field.
During this phase of flight, a propeller blade separated from the aircraft. This separation caused the UAS to descend and impact the field. The accident resulted in no injuries, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the propeller.