NTSB Factual Report

On June 29, 2001, about 1945 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3656B, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain on initial climbout from a private airstrip (2,600 feet by 50 feet, dry asphalt) near Grygla, Minnesota. The aerial application flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot's written statement indicated, "Took of[f] with a light load NW wind at 3-5 mph. Temp at 82[degrees.] After take off I passed trees on the west side of airport [and] right wing first fell [and] the air was bad [and] aircraft settled to the ground[.] The aircraft was destroyed[.]" The pilot listed no airplane "mechanical malfunction failure" on his statement.

At 1955, the Thief River Falls Regional Airport, near Thief River Falls, Minnesota, located 27 nautical miles and 230 degrees from the accident site, was: Wind 320 degrees at 8 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 27 degrees C; dew point 16 degrees C; altimeter 29.92 inches of mercury.

At 1955, density altitude at the Thief River Falls Regional Airport was 2,802 feet above mean sea level.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from terrain on takeoff. A factor was the high density altitude.