# NTSB CEN25LA283: Air Tractor AT-301, N2371V, Hartsburg, IL, July 23, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 23, 2025, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Hartsburg, IL · - Coordinates: 40.2367, -89.427407 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2367&lon=-89.4274&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200616 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA283 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200616/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200616 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA283 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff with a tailwind from a wet turf airstrip. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0390103), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff for the aerial application flight, the airplane settled back toward the ground and struck the surrounding crop at the departure end of the grass strip. During the accident sequence, the airplane came to rest upright and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot was familiar with the field and assessed that the grass was taller, recent rain made the ground softer, and a tailwind was present. He considered these factors in his fuel and product calculations and took off with a slightly reduced load and a weight of 7,252 pounds at takeoff. However, he stated that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane’s weight was further reduced for the conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2371V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2371V-2026-04-06), registration cancelled 2026-04-06, S/N 301-0420, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-301 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-301) (registry code 0390103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301-0420 - Year built: 1982 - Engines: Honeywell TPE 331-1-151A 665 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: T&M Aircraft LLC, doing business as Flying Illini Ag Service - Registered owner: T&M Aircraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 2025, 82 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: PVT, Pvt, runway 15/33, 2,600 × 75 ft - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 2, 2025; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,184 total, 265 in this make and model, 1,119 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 84 in the last 30 days, 9.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KAAA, 6 nm away - METAR: METAR KAAA 231335Z AUTO 16006KT 10SM CLR 28/27 A3006 RMK AO2 T02750274= ## 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 20250723010069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250723010069A), Jul 23, 2025: Air Tractor Inc AT-301, Hartsburg, IL, Substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200616. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19408016&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20FORM%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19409105&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigataion%20Photographs-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.