# NTSB ATL91LA168: Piper PA-25-235C, N4393Y, Bainbridge, GA, September 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1991, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Bainbridge, GA
- Location: 30.9049° N, 84.5730° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bainbridge, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9049&lon=-84.5730&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA168

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBJECTS WHILE PRACTICING AERIAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AERIAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES WHEN HE MISJUDGED HIS CLEARANCE AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE DISCLOSED THAT THE PILOT HAD TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 45 FEET PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THE TREES.  THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED INVERTED AND BURNED DURING THE CRASH SEQUENCE.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO REVEAL MECHANICAL OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4393Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4393Y-1993-12-07), registration cancelled 1993-12-07, S/N 254904 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235C
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4904
- Airframe hours: 5082
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Harrell'S Aviation Serv., Inc.
- Registered owner: Harrell'S Aviation Serv., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 8, 1991, 45 hours before
- Departed: BGE, BAINBRIDGE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 25 nm away

## 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 19910902037619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910902037619A), Sep 2, 1991: Piper PA25235, Bainbridge, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees,crashed and burned while practice spraying a field with water.

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.