N797SB

On October 3, 2009, approximately 1030 central daylight time, a Beech E18S, N797SB, operated by Brazoria County, Texas, and piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a radio tower and impacted terrain while maneuvering near Lake Jackson, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The public use flight was being operated as an aerial application flight for mosquito control. The pilot, the sole occupant on board the airplane, was not injured. The flight originated at Brazoria County Airport (LBX), Angleton, Texas, approximately 0915.

According to the pilot's accident report, he was spraying a marshy area. After making a spray pass, the pilot made a right 180-degree turn to a easterly heading, and the right wing struck a radio tower. The pilot did not know the extent of the damage and there appeared to be a "controllability issue." He elected to land in a pasture. During the landing, the airplane struck and killed a cow and a bull, then collided with a pile of wood.

The on-scene investigation revealed the airplane landed in a field about a mile away. The left engine, left landing gear, and tail wheel were torn off. Parts of the communications antenna were still embedded in the right wing edge, just outboard of the engine. The right propeller was gouged.

According to the FAA inspector who went to the scene, the unlit 100-foot radio tower was within the walls of the Clemens Correctional Facility, was used for ground communications, and has been there for several years. It is not marked on the Houston Sectional Chart.