NTSB Factual Report

On August 21, 2018, about 0850 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-400, N7300M, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a field 6 miles north of Grand Forks, North Dakota. The airplane was registered to and operated by Ross Seed Company, Fisher, Minnesota, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight that departed at an unknown time from J J and T Airport (MN81), East Grand Forks, Minnesota.

A witness was walking her dogs when she watched the accident airplane for about 5 minutes dusting a field east of her position. She stated that when the pilot made his final turn, it did not seem as "graceful" as the other turns and just before impacting the ground, she noticed what appeared to be a puff of smoke or liquid coming from the airplane. She further stated that in the final turn, she didn't notice anything out of the ordinary as far as engine noise and that it sounded about the same as it did while making all the previous turns.

During impact with the ground, the forward fuselage, empennage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The propeller separated from the airplane and one of the blades remained attached to the propeller hub and was bent forward.