Tragedy struck on Friday afternoon at the Broken Bow Municipal Airport in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, when a small plane struck and killed 27-year-old Samantha Hayes. Hayes, a single mother of three and employee of the city's parks department, was operating a riding lawn mower near the airport runway when a Bonanza A36 aircraft piloted by James Baxter came in for a landing. According to the incident report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Baxter spotted Hayes after touching down on the runway and attempted to pull up the plane to fly over her. Despite his efforts, the wing of the aircraft struck Hayes, resulting in a fatal head injury.

Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind a devastated community. Broken Bow, a small city in southeastern Oklahoma with a population of 4,120, is in mourning for the loss of a hardworking and beloved member of their community. Tributes on social media described Hayes as a dedicated mother who cherished her children and worked tirelessly to provide for them.

The tragic accident has prompted an investigation by both the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Federal Aviation Administration. Highway Patrol spokesperson Sara Stewart expressed that they are looking into whether any charges could be filed against the pilot, James Baxter. Authorities are trying to determine whether the pilot made any mistakes or if the incident was simply unavoidable.

As the investigation continues, questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the accident. Stewart noted that investigators are exploring factors such as whether Hayes was wearing reflective clothing and if she had seen the plane approaching. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is determined to uncover the truth to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.

Meanwhile, the city of Broken Bow is in shock and grief over the loss of their valued team member. City Manager Vickie Patterson expressed the community's devastation and extended their deepest sympathies to Hayes' family and friends. She emphasized the need to determine the cause of the accident to implement preventive measures, ensuring the safety of all employees.

The small airport at Broken Bow, with its 3,200-foot runway, does not have air-traffic controllers on staff. Pilots are responsible for announcing their landings and takeoffs on the radio. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were clear, ruling out any potential weather-related factors.

Friends of Samantha Hayes took to social media to express their sorrow and share memories of their beloved friend. They described her as a wonderful, loving mother who always prioritized her children. The friends promised to support and care for Hayes' children in her absence, ensuring that they will be taken care of.

As the community mourns the loss of Samantha Hayes, they also wait for answers and hope that lessons can be learned from this tragic accident. The investigation will shed light on the events leading up to the incident and determine if any measures need to be put in place to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in the future.