# NTSB ATL86LA261: Piper PA-25-235, N9513P, Plymouth, NC, September 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1986, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, NC
- Coordinates: 35.859535, -76.739143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8595&lon=-76.7391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- 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) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA261

## 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 - turn to reverse direction
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION WHILE DISPERSING CHEMICALS OVER A PEANUT CROP, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT DUMPED THE LOAD OF CHEMICALS AND MADE A HARD FULL STALL FORCED LANDING IN THE PEANUT FIELD. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAGNETO IMPULSE COUPLING HAD FAILED. THE COUPLING FRAGMENTS BECAME LODGED IN THE ACCESSORY CASE OF THE ENGINE AND SEPARATED THE CAMSHAFT DRIVE GEAR WHICH RENDERED THE ENGINE POWERLESS. AD78-09-07 R3 REQUIRES INSPECTION OF THE IMPULSE COUPLING AT INTERVALS NOT TO EXCEED 500 HOURS TIME IN SERVICE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE SUBJECT MAGNETO HAD 576 HOURS TIME IN SERVICE AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9513P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9513P), registered now, S/N 25-7405600, built 1974 (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: 257405600
- Airframe hours: 1720
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-62C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: B & L Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1986, 177 hours before
- Departed: PMZ, PLYMOUTH, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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