Accident Details
On September 29, 2023, at approximately 1425 central daylight time, a Beech A36 airplane, registration N9379Q, was involved in an accident while landing at Broken Bow Airport (90F), near Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The pilot was not injured. An airport grounds worker sustained fatal injuries. The airplane received substantial damage. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Sequence of Events
A worker was mowing grass along the west side of runway 17, traveling south. The airplane landed on runway 17 and, during rollout, the right wing struck the worker, resulting in fatal injuries. At the time, a separate work crew was bailing hay about 1,000 ft south of the worker on the opposite side of the runway. No NOTAMs were active for the mowing or hay bailing operations.
According to the pilot, while on approach, he watched for tractors bailing hay. He set up for a straight-in approach to runway 17 and made several position reports on the Universal Communications frequency. On final approach, he determined the runway environment was clear. During the landing flare, he observed a small black riding lawnmower on the right side of the runway. The pilot pulled back on the control yoke, and the airplane drifted right of the runway centerline due to a crosswind. The main landing gear touched down, and he pulled back on the yoke again to avoid the mower; however, the right wing struck the grounds worker. The pilot reported that the right wing sustained substantial damage from the impact.
A local law enforcement report noted that the worker was mowing on the edge of the runway when struck. According to Federal Aviation Administration chart supplements, the runway width is 50 ft. The Beech A36 airplane has a wingspan of 33 ft 6 in, per the Airplane Flight Manual.
Airport Operations
The airport manager, contacted through legal representatives, reported that the grounds worker had been instructed to mow in the cemetery across the street. After completing that task, she voluntarily and without direction moved to the airport and began mowing. A NOTAM was not issued to advise pilots of mowing because the airport manager was unaware that the worker would be mowing at the airport. The manager also did not know that NOTAMs were necessary, as the airport did not receive federal funding.
Following the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector provided counseling to the airport manager on best practices, including NOTAM issuance, use of high-visibility devices for workers and vehicles, and communication radio usage. The city subsequently implemented all suggested improvements.