# Accident 20110820021379A: Piper PA-25-235, Whitewood, SD, August 20, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 20, 2011, 11:39 local time
- Place: Whitewood, SD
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 44.4811° N, 103.7858° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4811&lon=-103.7858&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7051Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7051Z-2017-10-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-25-235 (registry code 7102504, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,831 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN11LA581](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA581) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110820021379A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON AUGUST 20, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 1139 HOURS A PIPER PA-25-235 REGISTERED TO ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ OF SPEARFISH, SD WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL INSECTICIDE APPLICATION OPERATIONS THE MORNING OF THE EVENT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE PLANE FLEW OUT OF THE WHITEWOOD VALLEY, TURNING NORTHEAST AT 050 DEGREES WHEN IT IMPACTED A HILLSIDE (WHAT APPEARS TO BE WINGS LEVEL) ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE VALLEY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE PILOT HELD A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE. VMC CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM THE STURGIS AIRPORT, STURGIS, SD ON AUGUST 20, 2011 SOMEMTIME BETWEEN 1030-1045 HOURS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN11LA581](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA581), Aug 20, 2011: Piper PA-25-235 (N7051Z), Whitewood, SD, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.

## Other reports on N7051Z (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19900916055769I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900916055769I), Sep 16, 1990: Piper PA25235 (N7051Z), Martin, SD, Minor damage. Cockpit filled with smoke when smoker turned on. Did not see electrical wires he hit. Landed safely.
- [Incident 19870604018969I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870604018969I), Jun 4, 1987: Piper PA25235 (N7051Z), Spearfish, SD, Minor damage. Engine failed during return to base after spray operation. Fuel was exhausted.
- [Accident 19740607015249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740607015249A), Jun 7, 1974: Piper PA25235 (N7051Z), Broadview, MT, Substantial damage. Fuel strainer clamp loose. Line from tank to strainer flexed. Lnd on downslope road,downwind.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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