# NTSB CEN25LA221: Air Tractor AT-402B, N107ML, Pierre, SD, June 24, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 24, 2025, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Pierre, SD - Coordinates: 44.427415, -100.09004 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4274&lon=-100.0900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200399 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200399/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200399 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA221 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the power lines while maneuvering that resulted in an in-flight collision with the power lines and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an aerial application of a field, the airplane was in a 20 to 30o descent at 140 kts when its vertical stabilizer struck a power line. The vertical stabilizer and rudder separated from the airplane, which resulted in the airplane’s uncontrolled descent and impact with the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot stated that he knew the location of the power line, but it was pilot error that resulted in the collision with the power line. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N107ML](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N107ML), registered now, S/N 402B-1250, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-402B - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402b) (registry code 0390208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (registry code 52251, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402B-1250 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 2972 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 91 - Operator: MIke Ogan Farms - Registered owner: MIke Ogan Farms - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2025 - Destination: Same as departure ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 10, 2023; seat: center; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,608 total, 867 in this make and model, 4,562 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 35° at 2 knots - Visibility: 11.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 28.35 inHg - Observed at: PIR, 11 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20250624006999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250624006999A), Jun 24, 2025: Air Tractor Inc AT-402B, Pierre, SD, Substantial damage. Local family farm pilot son & part [privacy data omitted] of aircraft was spraying their farm field under a high-tension power line. Attempted to climb over… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200399. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18958704&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Master_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation a�� pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18951053&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Template-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18953523&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Template-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.