US: Woman killed after getting hit by plane's wing in freak accident

A woman riding a lawnmower next to an airport runway was struck and killed by the wing of a small plane, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP).

Samantha Hayes, 27, of Idabel died on Friday at Broken Bow Municipal Airport, about 298km southeast of Oklahoma City, according to an OHP report.

James Baxter, the pilot of the single-engine aircraft, a Bonanza A36, told investigators that he saw Hayes after touching down on the runway about 2.30pm and tried to pull up and fly over her, but she was hit by a wing, the OHP said.

“We're investigating whether any charges could filed against the pilot,” OHP spokesperson Sarah Stewart said Monday, “Did the pilot do anything wrong or was this just unavoidable?”

Stewart said other questions about the episode remained under investigation, including whether the woman was wearing reflective clothing and if she even saw the plane.

Stewart said the Federal Aviation Administration was investigating any potential regulatory violations regarding the pilot and the aircraft.

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