2018 Piper PA-28-236 Accident Near Guthrie Center, Iowa (N91770)

Accident Overview and Flight History On November 9, 2018, a Piper PA-28-236, registration N91770, was substantially damaged in an accident near Guthrie Center, Iowa. The aircraft was operating as a Part 91 personal flight from Le Mars Municipal Airport to Osceola Municipal Airport for a hunting trip. The private pilot and three passengers, including a student pilot and co-owner, were fatally injured. Witnesses reported multiple difficult engine start attempts with loud popping sounds before the engine started and accelerated rapidly. The pilot taxied at a high idle speed, and a witness noted mist on the inside of the windows before takeoff. The flight departed uneventfully, but the pilot later reported a heart attack to air traffic control and attempted to divert to Perry Municipal Airport or Guthrie County Regional Airport. The aircraft was not located until the following morning in rolling hills and pastures 6 miles southwest of Guthrie County Regional Airport.