String of crop dusting crashes has pilots on alert

Three recent crop dusting crashes in Eastern Iowa has both helicopter and airplane pilots paying close attention in the cockpit.

Wednesday night, an airplane flown by Michael Hayman came within feet of crashing into a house in Washington.

"We're 15 feet off the ground," said pilot Steve Nebel.  "If something happens, there is no place to go except for into the ground."

Nebel blames the recent string of crashes on the season. According to Nebel, owner of Ag Air Aerial Applications, which hasn't been involved in any of the incidents, the most crucial time to crop dust is from the end of July until mid-August.

"What we are out doing is vital, so that we can get top yields out of the acres that we have," Nebel said.  "It's the only way to do it in a timely fashion."

Pilots and farmers are scrambling to limit disease development in both soybean and corn fields.  Nebel said the hot dry weather can help disease to spread.

Thursday, Ag Air had eleven pilots flying nine planes and two helicopters across fields in Eastern Iowa. Recent crashes serve as a constant reminder about the dangers of the job, Nebel said.

"It's constantly on our minds," said Nebel.  "But the most important thing is the safety of the public.  If something has to give, it's going to be our safety before somebody else."