Pilot in fair condition after crashing plane near Centralia
Olivia Hayes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The pilot of a crop duster plane that crashed Tuesday in northern Boone County is recovering at a Columbia hospital.
Wren Johannaber was in fair condition Wednesday after crashing a crop duster plane near Centralia on Tuesday, an MU Health spokesperson said. Johannaber, 31, of Huntsville, was flying an air tractor plane, according to a crash report.
Johannaber was flown from the crash scene Tuesday to a hospital. Gale Blomenkamp, with the Boone County Fire Protection District, said Johannaber was “alert and conscious” before he was flown to University Hospital.
Johannaber was licensed commercially in both single and multi-engine airplanes, according to Federal Aviation Association records. Both the FAA and National Agricultural Aviation Association require no hourly minimum for flight trainings for agriculture-specific pilots. An Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate is available through the FAA, but it is not mandatory.
The process includes first getting a commercial pilots license, then earning a pesticide applicator license through the state’s agriculture department. Pilots also need a Class 2 medical certificate that shows they are medically fit to fly the plane. Pilots are asked to renew their medical certification annually. As of October 2024 Johannaber is shown through FAA documents of holding a Class 2 medical certificate.
The plane took down several power lines before coming to rest roughly 50 yards into a cornfield near Route CC at Angell School Road. An Ameren spokesperson wrote in an email Wednesday that more than 1,200 electricity customers were without power following the crash. Power was fully restored in Hallsville as of 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Powerlines are the second leading cause of agriculture plane accidents, according to the NAAA
In an email to ABC 17 News Wednesday morning following the restoration, Ameren said it took about two dozen line workers and support staff working through the night and into the morning to make repairs.
According to Ameren Missouri, four H-frame structures with broken poles were replaced and 20 additional pole structures needed to be inspected and worked on by crews due to the incident.
Ameren said more than 60% of the affected customers’ power was restored by 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
MSHP said the National Transportation Safety Board is handling the investigation in conjunction with the FAA.