# NTSB ATL82DA273: Piper PA-25, N9728P, Red Level, AL, September 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1982, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Red Level, AL
- Coordinates: 31.400352, -86.59983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4004&lon=-86.5998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA273

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil line - burst (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AFTER SPRAYING CROPS, THE PILOT NOTED A CHANGE IN THE ENGINE SOUND AND NOTICED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. ANTICIPATING AN IMMINENT ENGINE FAILURE, THE PILOT LANDED ON A PORTION OF AN OLD HIGHWAY THAT WAS CLEAR OF MOTOR VEHICLES. AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 75 TO 100 YARDS ON A STEEP GRADE, THE RIGHT WING TIP HIT SMALL GUM TREES. ON THE OPPOSITE BANK OF THE ROAD WERE A DENSE CLUMP OF PLUM TREES THAT WERE SOMEWHAT SMALLER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS PRECISELY ON THE CENTERLINE OF THE ROAD AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN IT STRUCK THE TREES. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A DITCH. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A FLEXIBLE OIL LINE (SR2800-8-0390-64228-6 TSO C53A TYPE C SEPT 74 PT) RUPTURED AND ALLOWED A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND PRESSURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9728P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9728P-1999-06-18), registration cancelled 1999-06-18, S/N 25-7556043 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-7556043
- Airframe hours: 1738
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B205 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Charles Lawson
- Registered owner: Charles Lawson
- Departed: CAROLINA, AL
- Destination: CAROLINA, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,700 total, 160 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °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 19820913045779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820913045779A), Sep 13, 1982: Piper PA25, Red Level, AL, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure, wing struck a tree while landing on a road. Aircraft rotated into a ditch. Broken oil line.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.