Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from a levy.
NTSB analysis
The aerial application pilot reported that he was setting navigational equipment while en route to a field to spray. He stated that he became fixated on the unit. He said, “at the end of the field was a levy with a road on top of it. I noticed this too late and impacted the landing gear of the aircraft at the top of the levy. The airplane continued to fly and I knew I had hit something.” Review of photographs of the airplane showed that structural tubing was torn away from the fuselage tubing and the torn structure remained attached to the separated landing gear.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA616 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 12, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Clark, South Dakota
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-36-285
- N-number
- N57625
- 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.