On Friday, September 29 at the Broken Bow Airport in Oklahoma, a 27-year-old woman was struck by the wing of a landing airplane while operating a lawnmower.
Samantha Hayes, a single mother of three from Idabel, Oklahoma, was working for the city’s parks department at the time of the incident.
James Baxter, the 70-year-old pilot of the 1972 Beechcraft Bonanza A36 plane, spotted Hayes on the lawnmower as he descended. To avoid a collision, Baxter attempted to abort the landing.
However, despite his best efforts, he could not gain enough altitude in time, resulting in the plane’s wing hitting Hayes in the head.
According to reports, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is investigating the incident to determine if any charges could be filed against the pilot. Fortunately, Baxter himself was unharmed in the accident. The small airport has no air-traffic controllers.
Hayes was known for her hard work and dedication as a mother, and her passing has deeply saddened the community. Friends and family remember her fondly, and the community has come together to offer their condolences and support to her three children.
