Air Tractor INC AT-301 accident near Colome, South Dakota, June 26, 2013
On June 26, 2013 at about 11:25 pm local time, a 1984 Air Tractor INC AT-301, registered N3168X, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Colome, South Dakota. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine run revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2013 · about 11:25 pm local time
- Place
- Colome, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air Tractor INC AT-301, built 1984 · all AT-301s on the register
- Registration
- N3168X · no longer on the register · serial 301-0566
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the start of his third spray pass, he cleared the telephone wires located at the edge of the field. Once over the field, he immediately noticed the engine power reduce. He attempted to pull back on the control stick to gain altitude, but the airplane's tail and right wing struck the field. During the forced landing roll, the right landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. No water was found in the fuel system, and the weather conditions were not conducive for carburetor icing. A postaccident engine run was conducted, and no anomalies were observed that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,389 hours in all; 1,057 in this make and model; 96 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: February 17, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,898 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 13, 2013
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R1340 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Semper Fi Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: ICR Winner SD at 10:20 pm
- Destination: Colome SD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from ABR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.