ALGONA — A routine afternoon flight over northern Iowa farmland turned into a terrifying fight for survival when a low-flying aircraft slammed into overhead power lines and crashed, leaving the pilot injured but alive.
The dramatic crash happened at approximately 4:17 p.m. on July 29 near the intersection of 109th Street and 180th Avenue west of Algona.
Authorities say 53-year-old Jesse Jessen of Milford was flying an agricultural spray plane while treating a farm field when the aircraft struck power lines. The collision sent the plane crashing to the ground in a frightening accident that easily could have turned deadly.
Against the odds, Jessen survived.
He managed to escape the wreckage with minor cuts and was treated at the scene by Kossuth County EMS. He did not require transportation to a hospital.
No one on the ground was injured.
Deputies say the aircraft was conducting aerial application work—a demanding job that requires pilots to fly just feet above crops while navigating around trees, utility lines, poles and other obstacles. Even experienced agricultural pilots face significant risks during every flight, particularly during the busy summer spraying season when repeated low-altitude passes are required.
Power lines remain among the greatest dangers for crop-dusting pilots because they can be difficult to see until the last moment, especially when blending into the landscape or crossing open fields.
The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, Kossuth County Emergency Management, Kossuth County EMS and the Algona Fire Department all responded to the crash scene. MidAmerican Energy crews were also called to repair damaged electrical lines.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified and will investigate exactly what led to the crash.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the hazards faced by Iowa’s agricultural aviators, whose work helps protect millions of acres of corn and soybeans each growing season while operating in one of aviation’s most unforgiving environments.