Investigation Summary
The flight departed Stillwater on the afternoon of November 17, 2011, carrying OSU head coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna. The aircraft was piloted by former Oklahoma State Senator Olin Branstetter, who was accompanied by his wife, Paula. Seating arrangements placed Branstetter in the front left, Budke in the front right, and Serna and Paula Branstetter in the rear seats. As the aircraft approached the Perryville area at 7,000 feet, it encountered unknown difficulties. Radar data indicated a sudden right turn and descent at 16:10 CST. Witnesses reported seeing the single-engine plane swirling before it entered a steep nose-dive into a densely wooded area of the Ouachita National Forest. The crash site was located approximately 8 miles southwest of Perryville. This tragedy marked the second fatal aviation accident involving Oklahoma State University basketball programs in 11 years, following the 2001 crash that killed ten members of the men's basketball travel party.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB determined the probable cause of the accident to be the pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain. Investigators found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failures with the engine or airframe. Weather was not a factor, and while medical issues could not be entirely ruled out due to the condition of the remains, toxicological tests for drugs and alcohol were negative.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Pilot
Former Oklahoma State Senator Olin Branstetter. Seated in the front left seat.
Systems & Failure Modes
Piper PA-28 Airframe
A single-engine, low-wing aircraft commonly used for general aviation and flight training.
Interesting Facts
- 01The crash killed OSU women's basketball head coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna.
- 02The pilot was former Oklahoma State Senator Olin Branstetter, aged 82.
- 03The aircraft was a single-engine Piper Cherokee PA-28.
- 04The accident occurred in a wooded area of Perry County, Arkansas.
- 05This was the second fatal plane crash involving OSU basketball since 2001.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Immediate University Response
Following the tragedy, Oklahoma State University called off athletic games scheduled for the following weekend and provided grief counselors for student-athletes and staff.
Travel Policy Expansion
Source ↗Following the accident, OSU expanded its travel policy (originally created after the 2001 crash) to prohibit coaches and staff from traveling on single-engine aircraft and mandated that all pilots and aircraft be reviewed by an aviation consultant.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the official investigation report.