Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgment of tree heights, which resulted in the collision with a tree.
NTSB analysis
The pilot said that he had just finished an aerial application pass over a field. As he pulled up, he misjudged the height of nearby trees and struck the top of one of the trees. He was able to fly the airplane to a nearby airport, where he landed without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed forward and aft spar damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA444 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 29, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Eagle Lake, Minnesota
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Eagle DW-1
- N-number
- N8803Z
- 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.