On May 18, 1992, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N4427Y) operated by Drew Dale Metter was involved in an aviation accident near Iroquois, SD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's minimal experience with agricultural application operations during a low-level maneuver. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Witnesses observed an airplane performing aerial application of agricultural chemicals to a wheat field before descending into terrain during a turn. Investigation revealed the pilot had minimal experience in such operations.
What happened
Witnesses located near the accident scene observed an airplane engaged in the aerial application of agricultural chemicals over a wheat field. The aircraft was seen completing a swath run, which is a standard pass for distributing the chemical agent. Following this pass, the airplane descended into the terrain while executing a turn to return to the field area.
The investigation
An examination of the pilot's log book revealed that the individual had minimal experience conducting agricultural application operations. This lack of specific operational experience was noted as a relevant factor in the incident context.
Probable cause
The pilot's minimal experience with agricultural application operations during a low-level maneuver.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…