# NTSB ATL85LA024: Piper PA-25-235, N9855P, Lincoln, TN, October 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1984, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, TN
- Coordinates: 35.139724, -86.559944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1397&lon=-86.5599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 78-09-07 R3](https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-09-07-R3), [AD 82-20-01](https://openairdocs.org/ad/82-20-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA024

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS MAKING A SWATH RUN SPRAYING CROPS WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITH 200 YARDS OF LEVEL FIELD REMAINING FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH TREES. DURING THE TURN THE NOSE OF THE ACFT DUG INTO THE GROUND CAUSING THE ACFT TO NOSE OVER. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO COUPLING WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ROTATE. FURTHER INSPECTION DISCLOSED EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE PAWLS AND WORN STRIKER PINS AND SHAFT SPLINES. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT LOGBOOKS, AD 78-09-07 & AD 82-20-01 HAD BEEN COMPLIED  WITH, 19 FLT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACIDENT. HOWEVER, THE MAKE, MODEL, & SERIAL NUMBER OF THE MAGNETOS WERE NOT ENTERD AS REQUIRED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - improper, other maintenance personnel
  - maintenance,recordkeeping - poor, other maintenance personnel
  - ignition system,magneto - worn (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - jammed (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9855P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9855P-1989-05-22), registration cancelled 1989-05-22, S/N 257556179 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-7556179
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Miller L. Jones
- Registered owner: Ag-Air Of Tennessee Valey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HAZEL GREEN, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,755 total, 894 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841030061349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841030061349A), Oct 30, 1984: Piper PA25235, Lincoln, TN, Substantial damage. Spraying run, engine quit, landed in field, turned to avoid trees, nose dug in,flipped over. Magneto shaft sheared.

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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