# NTSB ATL85LA156: Piper PA-25-260C, N4796Y, Ashburn, GA, May 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1985, 20:15 local (May 8, 1985, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Ashburn, GA
- Coordinates: 31.700733, -83.650306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7007&lon=-83.6503&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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A FLT TO CLEAN THE SPRAY BOOM BY FLYING DOWN THE CENTER OF THE AIRSTRIP & DISPENSING A CLEANING SUBSTANCE THRU THE SPRAY BOOM. HE MADE ONE PASS DOWN THE STRIP, THEN ENTERED A PULL-UP TO THE RIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE THEN TURNED BACK TO THE LEFT & REDUCED POWER TO LAND IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. HOWEVER, HE SAW THAT THE ACFT WAS GOING TO OVERSHOOT THE RWY, SO HE TIGHTENED HIS TURN. THE ACFT STALLED WHILE IT WAS LESS THAN 100 FT AGL. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER BEFORE THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND. IT IMPACTED IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE & WAS DAMAGED. A FIRE THEN ERUPTED & DESTROYED THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4796Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4796Y-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 25-4574, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-260C
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4574
- Airframe hours: 3812
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Alfred J. Daigneau
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 23, 1985, 24 hours before
- Airport: Daigneau Ag Strip, runway 9, 4,800 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,500 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 3,370 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19850507019429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850507019429A), May 7, 1985: Piper PA25260, Ashburn, GA, Destroyed. Overshot final, steepened bank and went into accelerated stall. Aircraft impacted ground and burned.

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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