Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire.
NTSB analysis
During an aerial application flight, the airplane, piloted by a commercial pilot, contacted a transmission wire during an undetermined phase of flight. The vertical stabilizer separated from the airplane and was not recovered. Aircraft control was not possible and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. The pilot was seriously injured. Examination of the wreckage revealed damage to the anti-snag deflector cable and vertical stabilizer consistent with a wire strike. Displaying signs of wear, the pilot's restraint system failed in two locations resulting in additional injury to the pilot.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA023 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 18, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Silverton, Texas
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-36-285
- N-number
- N57740
- 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.