# NTSB CEN25LA286: Weatherly 620B, N2032J, Rushmore, MN, July 23, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 23, 2025, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Rushmore, MN - Coordinates: 43.6194, -95.8006 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6194&lon=-95.8006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - 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): 200626 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200626/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200626 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA286 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during low-level maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherly 620B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=9630605), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherly 620B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=9630605), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherly 620B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=9630605), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Weatherly 620B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=9630605), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while performing low altitude aerial spray application, he flew too close to a tree instead of flying over the top of it. The left wingtip struck the tree, and the airplane impacted the ground. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2032J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2032J), registered now, S/N 1583, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC 620B - Registry model: [Weatherly 620B](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherly-620b) (registry code 9630605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1583 - Year built: 1994 - Airframe hours: 7457 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Arnt Aerial Spraying Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, July 23, 2025 - Departed: OTG, Worthington, MN - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: OTG, Worthington Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 5, 2025; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 918 total, 74 in this make and model, 181 as pilot in command, 181 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KOTG, 10 nm away - METAR: KOTG 232156Z AUTO 13006KT 10SM CLR 30/23 A2987 ## 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 20250723010449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250723010449A), Jul 23, 2025: Weatherly Aviation Co Inc 620B, Ransom, MN, Substantial damage. The PIC was performing aerial application over a corn field. He stated he had made several application passes, noting no mechanical issues. The pilot said he… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200626. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19131072&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19130770&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20array-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.