# Accident 20120802015739A: Piper PA-25-260, Alexander, NY, August 2, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 2, 2012, 10:30 local time
- Place: Alexander, NY
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: WD8G
- Location: 42.9269° N, 78.1994° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9269&lon=-78.1994&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6802L, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6802L-2018-02-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-25-260 (registry code 7102508, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (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-25-260
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 2,800 total, 400 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA12CA495](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA495) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120802015739A

## Narrative

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

AT 10:30 LOCAL TIME N6802L, A PIPER PA-25-260 AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT, STRUCK THE GROUND IN THE FIELD HE WAS SPRAYING WITH INSECTICIDE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS PROPELLED BACK INTO THE AIR, STALLED AND CRASHED INTO TREES. THE PILOT WAS THE ONLY PERSON ABOARD AND WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE WEATHER WAS REPORTED AT ROCHESTER, NY AT 1000HRS LOCAL AS WIND AT 200 DEGREES @ 4 KTS, VISABILITY @ 10 MILES, SKY WAS BROKEN AT 25,000 FT, TEMP. @ 75F AND DEWPOINT @ 65F. THE PILOT STATED HE FAILED TO SEE WIRES CROSSING THE FIELD UNTIL THE LAST SECOND. HE ATTEMPTED TO PASS UNDER THE WIRES AND STRUCK THE RISING TERRAIN. UPON CLIMB THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING POWER AND RUNNING ROUGH. HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE SAME FIELD FOR LANDING WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STALLED INTO THE TREES.

## 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 ERA12CA495](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA495), Aug 2, 2012: Piper PA-25-260 (N6802L), Alexander, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain altitude during aerial application, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

## Other reports on N6802L (1)

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

- [Incident 19890825047729I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890825047729I), Aug 25, 1989: Piper PA25260 (N6802L), Ogallala, NE, Minor damage. Aircraft yawed and nose dropped due to dust devil. Hit powerlines on climb. Returned.

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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