In 2018, there were 52 agriculture aviation accidents in the U.S., 8 of them were fatal. So far this year, one was reported in North Dakota.
The National Agriculture Aviation Association says that pilots put in over 400 hours each year, while operators behind the scenes a little over 300, all in order to treat crops around the United States.
“I did my first flight when I was 19, so I’m in my 42nd year of Ag flying,” said Brian Rau, ag pilot for Medina Flying Services.
Pilots and operators are taking risks every day, as they spray fields from a height as low as 12 feet above the crop for hours at a time.
Read more on this story from Fox North Dakota here.
