Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.
NTSB analysis
The pilot departed for the flight to spray a field located about 4 miles north of the airport. When the pilot did not return within the expected time frame, the operator sent airplanes out to look for him. The wreckage was located in an open field about 1/4 mile from the field that was being sprayed. No witnesses to the accident were identified; however, one person reported seeing the airplane spraying in the area. Impact damage indicated that the airplane struck the terrain in a steep nose-down, left-wing-low attitude, consistent with a loss of control event. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any failures or malfunctions with either the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA399 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 17, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Highmore, South Dakota
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-36-300
- N-number
- N57885
- 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.