What: Privately owned Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee B
Where: Four miles south of Perryville, AR
When: Nov 17 2011
Who: 4 aboard, 4 fatalities
Why: Women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant women’s basketball coach Miranda Serna were on a routine recruiting trip to Arkansas, when the plane crashed in steep terrain in the eastern Ouachita Mountains in the Winona Wildlife Management Area. The other two aboard were Former State Senator Olin Branstetter and his wife, Paula. A local deer hunter’s wife told 911 when she saw the airplane nose-diving in a swirling pattern and crashing in the forest. By 6pm, the wreckage had been located. The passengers had been ejected from the plane, which drove a six foot deep furrow into a ridge but did not catch on fire. Rescuers reached the site on YO4 Forest Access Road via four wheelers.

Miranda Serna was in her seventh season as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State.

The cause of the crash is unknown but it was the catalyst of an outpour of support for Oklahoma State.

That the plane was co-owned by the Branstetters, who were from Ponca City. 82 year old Olin Branstetter was a longtime pilot.

Eleven years ago, a plane carrying 10 crashed, killing two OSU men’s basketball players, two members of its radio broadcast team, three members of the team’s support staff and two pilots in a snow storm in Byers, Colorado.

PIPER PA-28-180 Serial 28-1756 #N7746W
Year of Manufacture: 1964
Number of Seats: 4
Certification Issue Date: 29 Sep 1978
Builder Certification Code: Type Certificated
Aircraft Speed: 107
Aircraft Type: Fixed wing single engine
Aircraft Category Code: Land
Airworthiness Date: 17 Jun 1964
Aircraft Weight:
Mode S Code: 52475442

NTSB investigating Aviation Accident in Perryville, Arkansas
November 18, 2011
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched investigators to examine the circumstances of an aviation accident that occurred yesterday afternoon near Perryville, Arkansas, involving a Piper PA-28-180 (N7746W).

Jason Aguilera is the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge. He will receive headquarters support from air traffic control and meteorology. Parties to the investigation include the Federal Aviation Administration, Piper Aircraft and Lycoming.

Terry Williams will be the public affairs officer on scene.Once he arrives in Perryville, Mr. Williams can be reached on his cell phone at (202) 320-2594 or via email at terry.williams@ntsb.gov.

NTSB Office of Public Affairs: 202-314-6100