NTSB Factual Report

On May 16, 2001, at 1315 central daylight time, an Air Tractor G-164A, N970X, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing on runway 31 (3,900 feet by 75 feet) at the Casselton Municipal Airport, Casselton, North Dakota. The commercial pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Mapleton, North Dakota, at 1300 central daylight time.

The pilot reported that the airplane bounced on landing. He reported that the airplane veered left on the second touchdown. The pilot reported that he was unable to regain directional control prior to the airplane traveling off the left side of the runway. The airplane then ground looped and the right main gear collapsed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while recovering from a bounced landing. A factor was the collapse of the right main landing gear.