Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the crop during an aerial application maneuver.
NTSB analysis
The aerial application airplane, while spraying a field, descended into crops and sustained substantial damage on impact with the crops. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA483 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 3, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Royal, Iowa
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-25-235
- N-number
- N6701Z
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.