HEBRON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A small crop sprayer aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing early Monday morning east of Hebron due to engine failure, according to authorities.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. MT on June 17, 2024. The pilot, Pierson Chase, reported that he was returning to Hebron after a spraying operation south of Glen Ullin when the aircraft’s engine began to surge and sputter. Despite efforts to reach the Hebron airstrip, the engine ultimately quit, forcing Chase to attempt an emergency landing on Morton County Road 89, just north of County Road 140.

The aircraft veered into a ditch during the landing, but Chase was uninjured. He promptly contacted authorities to report the incident.

The Morton County Sheriff’s Office and the North Dakota Highway Patrol responded to the scene. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are conducting an investigation into the incident.

No injuries or further damages were reported, and the road was cleared without significant disruption to traffic.