Piper PA-36-300 accident near Highmore, SD
On June 17, 2011, a Piper PA-36-300 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Highmore, SD. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 17, 2011
- Place
- Highmore, SD
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-36-300 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 44.572°N, 99.392°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110617X60315
Official records · CEN11LA399
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 17, 2011, at 1200 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-300, N57885, operated by Wilbur-Ellis, collided with the terrain following a loss of control in Highmore, South Dakota. The commercial pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane received substantial damage. The aerial application flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Highmore Municipal Airport, Highmore, South Dakota, about 1130. The operator stated the pilot departed for the flight to spray a 40 acre plot located about 4 miles north of the airport. When the pilot did not return within the expected 30 to 40 minute time frame, the operator sent two airplanes out to look for him. The wreckage was located at 1230. There are no known witnesses to the accident; however, a local farmer reported seeing the airplane spraying in the area. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 31, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument-airplane ratings. He held a second-class medical certificate issued March 1, 2010. The medical certificate contained a limitation that the pilot must wear corrective lenses. The pilot’s logbook contained entries dated between March 30, 2001, and March 24, 2011. According to the logbook the pilot had a total flight time of about 916 hours, of which, 71 hours were in the accident make and model of airplane. The pilot had worked for Wilbur-Ellis for approximately 1 1/2 years prior to the accident. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIO
Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.
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Browse: South Dakota · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
