# NTSB ATL84LA264: Piper PA-25-235, N4851Y, Greenville, NC, August 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1984, 19:41 local (23:41 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, NC
- Location: 35.6127° N, 77.3664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greenville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6127&lon=-77.3664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA264

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A STEEP TURN AFTER COMPLETING A LOW PASS AND SPRAYING A FIELD. PLT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE TURN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WIND GUST THAT ROLLED THE ACFT INVERTED. THE ACFT STALLED. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO ROLL OUT OF INVERTED BEFORE GROUND COLLISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4851Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 254651
- Airframe hours: 4314
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Robert C. Langston
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1984, 201 hours before
- Departed: FARMVILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,750 total, 1,810 in this make and model, 3,668 as pilot in command, 251 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWI

## 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 19840821042279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840821042279A), Aug 21, 1984: Piper PA25235, Greenville, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot blamed a wind gust put him on his back on a vertical turn around. Aircraft stalled and crashed.

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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