What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On July 23, 2025 at approximately 0830 local central standard time, an AT-301 with Honeywell TPE331 conversion with 300 gal of funguside and 120 gallons of fuel. Pilot attempted northwest heading departure from a private grass strip in Hartsburg Illinois (40 14 08N) (89 25 33W). Weather temp 81 degrees, humidity of 84%, and dew point of 75.2. The winds were out of the south souteast at 9.1MPH and gust up to 13 mph. Pilot statement stated that this region received rainfall in this region making this airstrip softer. Pilot statement also added that the grass was longer than when pilot previously worked this grass strip. Pilot reported that the grass growth, rainfall, and Air density were underestimated. Aircraft proceded though the corn stalks for approximatly 90 yds and came to rest at (40 14 20 n) (89 25 45).
As the FAA filed it
ON JULY 23, 2025 AT APPROXIMATELY 0830 LOCAL CENTRAL STANDARD TIME, AN AT-301 WITH HONEYWELL TPE331 CONVERSION WITH 300 GAL OF FUNGUSIDE AND 120 GALLONS OF FUEL. PILOT ATTEMPTED NORTHWEST HEADING DEPARTURE FROM A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP IN HARTSBURG ILLINOIS (40 14 08N) (89 25 33W). WEATHER TEMP 81 DEGREES, HUMIDITY OF 84%, AND DEW POINT OF 75.2. THE WINDS WERE OUT OF THE SOUTH SOUTEAST AT 9.1MPH AND GUST UP TO 13 MPH. PILOT STATEMENT STATED THAT THIS REGION RECEIVED RAINFALL IN THIS REGION MAKING THIS AIRSTRIP SOFTER. PILOT STATEMENT ALSO ADDED THAT THE GRASS WAS LONGER THAN WHEN PILOT PREVIOUSLY WORKED THIS GRASS STRIP. PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GRASS GROWTH, RAINFALL, AND AIR DENSITY WERE UNDERESTIMATED. AIRCRAFT PROCEDED THOUGH THE CORN STALKS FOR APPROXIMATLY 90 YDS AND CAME TO REST AT (40 14 20 N) (89 25 45).
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.