Casualties unknown

Pilot Strikes Tree During Spraying Pass Due to Sunglare and Windshield Contamination (N57791)

Plover, WI, US

On June 22, 1987, a Piper PA-36 (registration N57791) was involved in an aviation accident near Plover, WI. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot spraying a bean crop struck a tree with the left wing after being blinded by sunglare and chemical spray on the windshield, causing the aircraft to yaw left and crash.

Incident Overview

A pilot was spraying a bean crop and making clean-up swaths over an area at the north side of the field. The area had buildings to the west and trees to the east. To avoid flying toward the buildings, the pilot chose to make the passes to the east, directly toward the sun.

Sequence of Events

During the third clean-up swath, as the pilot was pulling up, the aircraft rose above the shorter trees. However, the pilot did not see a taller tree due to glare from the sun and chemical spray residue on the windshield. The left wing struck the tall tree, causing the aircraft to yaw to the left. The aircraft then crashed and was extensively damaged.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31130. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.