Pilot Lost Control in 2018 Plane Crash Near Bradley, Report Says

An investigation into the cause of a November 2018 crash near Bradley determined that the pilot lost control during his flight from Clark to Webster.

John Shoemaker, 47, of Webster was killed in the wreck.

According to the report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board this week, Shoemaker was flying a Cessna 210 on Nov. 2. Originally, his plan was to fly from Sioux Falls to Webster, but he changed course and landed at the Clark airport due to poor weather conditions about at 9:40 a.m. He then departed from Clark about 11:15 a.m. to complete the 35-mile flight to Webster. The crash was about 11:30 a.m.

Shoemaker completed training for his private pilot's license in May 2018, and planned to obtain his instrument rating but did not have it at the time of the crash, according to the report. It described him as "conscientious" pilot but also "gung-ho."

The report indicates Shoemaker determined low cloud conditions were present near Webster by contacting a pilot friend near Webster. But investigators also determined no weather briefing was requested from the Federal Aviation Administration flight service contractor and weather information was not reviewed on ForeFlight, a smartphone app designed to help pilots.

A pilot friend of Shoemaker's told investigators he expected Shoemaker planned to fly below the clouds.

A witness near the accident site heard the sound of an airplane climbing and descending twice before the crash, according to the report. The plane struck the ground "in a steep nose-down angle." A review of the wreckage found no evidence of mechanical malfunction, and an autopsy showed no evidence of drugs or alcohol, per the report.

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