# NTSB ATL82DA171: Piper PA-25-235, N8544L, Ripley, IN, June 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1982, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Ripley, IN
- Location: 41.1006° N, 86.6603° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ripley, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 35.739448, -89.530784 (estimated), outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1006&lon=-86.6603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA171

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WHEN THE PILOT ARRIVED TO SPRAY THE FIELD FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE SAW POWERLINES ALONG A ROAD AND SAW POLES ON BOTH SIDES OF A CREEK. HE ASSUMED THAT ALL OF THE LINES FOLLOWED THE ROAD. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT A POWERLINE CROSSED THE NARROW FIELD THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO SPRAY. THE FIRST SWATH RUN WAS STARTED BY CROSSING OVER A BLUFF. AS THE PILOT BEGAN TO SPRAY, HE SAW THE POWERLINE AND DOVE TO AVOID A COLLISION. REPORTEDLY, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED INTO THE WINGS AND FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8544L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8544L), registered now, S/N 25-5420, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-5420
- Airframe hours: 2576
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: J. Birchfield
- Registered owner: J. Birchfield
- Departed: M31, HALLS, TN
- Destination: M31, HALLS, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 617 total, 428 in this make and model, 474 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 190 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820618023849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820618023849A), Jun 18, 1982: Piper PA25235, Ripley, TN, Destroyed. Tried to dive under unforeseen wires on a spray run,struck the ground instead. Inadequate field ground inspection.

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.

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