Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a signpost during an aerial application flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during an agricultural aerial application pass underneath electrical wires, the airplane’s right main landing gear collided with a signpost and was "torn off." The pilot then flew the airplane back to his base of operations. During the landing, without the right main landing gear, the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane spun around 180 degrees before coming to rest in the upright position. The pilot was not injured; however, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing during the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA454 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 29, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Petersburg, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Private
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-36-285
- N-number
- N57706
- 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.