# NTSB ATL95LA144: Piper PA-25-235, N7601Z, Allendale, SC, July 23, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1995, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Allendale, SC - Coordinates: 32.999916, -81.299896 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9999&lon=-81.2999&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3602 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3602/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA144 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE GUY WIRE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER AND THE PILOT'S UNFAMILIARITY WITH THE TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - guy wire - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT HAD ABANDONED THE SPRAYING OPERATION DUE TO LARGE THUNDERSTORMS AND GUSTY WINDS, AND WAS PROCEEDING TO ALLENDALE WITH A COMPANION AIRPLANE. HE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE TERRAIN. HE LOST SIGHT OF THE OTHER AIRPLANE. BECAUSE OF A THUNDERSTORM AHEAD OF HIM, AND GUSTS FROM A STORM BEHIND HIM, HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A DIRT ROAD. DURING THE LANDING A WING STRUCK A GUY WIRE FOR AN ELECTRICAL POLE. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 1995, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7601Z, collided with a guy wire, during landing, near Allendale, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by Sky Ag Aviation under 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. A flight plan was not filed for the aerial application flight. Origination of the flight was Sycamore, South Carolina, abut 1700, on the same day. The pilot reported that while spraying crops, large thunderstorms and gusty winds forced him to abandon the spraying operation. He had been operating in the local area for about four days and was unfamiliar with the terrain. He lost sight of a companion airplane, as they were proceeding to Allendale for landing. Because of a thunderstorm ahead of him, and gusts from a storm behind him, he elected to land on a dirt, county road. During the landing, one wing was substantially damaged when it contacted a guy wire for an electrical pole. The report of the accident was provided to the FAA on July 27, 1995. The operater stated that the damage was initially reported to him as minor. When he examined the airplane and discovered substantial damage, he provided that information to the Flight Standards District Office. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7601Z (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-3693 - Airframe hours: 5160 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sky Ag Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1995, 70 hours before - Departed: NONE, SYCAMORE, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,613 total, 192 in this make and model, 1,570 as pilot in command, 330 in the last 90 days, 117 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: NBC ## 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 19950723019749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950723019749A), Jul 23, 1995: Piper PA25235, Allendale, SC, Substantial damage. Apporaching storm left spray field to return to base. Storms closing. Elected land on road. Struck powerline. 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.