Piper PA-25-235 N7064Z accident near Boonville, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing on a gravel road.

NTSB analysis

While flying, the pilot was looking for a suitable location to load the airplane for agricultural operations (the previously agreed upon location was not accessible). He was texting the ground crew to figure out options. After doing so, he made several low passes to better evaluate the road upon which he planned to land, to evaluate the wing tip clearance from the corn, and to attempt to signal the ground crew of the location change because cellular service was sporadic. The pilot stated that he made the low passes with full flaps and that he also evaluated the wing tip clearance from the corn. After the last pass and during the landing roll, he looked right to ensure that the wing would clear the corn. The airplane then veered left 180 degrees, rolled backward, and impacted terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have caused the loss of directional control during the landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA520 for the full record.