Clark, SD, USA
N57625
PIPER PA-36-285
The aerial application pilot reported that he was setting navigational equipment while en route to a field to spray. He stated that he became fixated on the unit. He said, “at the end of the field was a levy with a road on top of it. I noticed this too late and impacted the landing gear of the aircraft at the top of the levy. The airplane continued to fly and I knew I had hit something.” Review of photographs of the airplane showed that structural tubing was torn away from the fuselage tubing and the torn structure remained attached to the separated landing gear.
The aerial application pilot reported that he was setting navigational equipment while en-route to a field to spray. He stated that he became fixated on the unit. He said, “At the end of the field was a levy with a road on top of it. I noticed this too late and impacted the landing gear of the aircraft at the top of the levy. The airplane continued to fly and I knew I had hit something.” Review of photographs of the airplane showed that structural tubing was torn away from the fuselage tubing and the torn structure remained attached to the separated landing gear.
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from a levy.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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