# NTSB ATL98LA004: Piper PA-25-235C, N9567P, Blakley, GA, October 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 1997, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Blakley, GA - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3940 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3940/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA004 ## Probable cause the pilot misjudge clearance from trees during pull-up from a swath run. The obstructions (power line and trees) were related factors. ## 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 - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis During pull-up from a swath run, the airplane collided with a tree. The pilot stated that before the pull-up, he was checking the drift of the spray for the next swath run. He said that he was aware of the trees and had planned to pull up from under a set of utility lines before the trees. After the collision, the airplane began to roll to the left. The pilot managed to keep the airplane upright by reducing power and using opposite aileron. Subsequently, the airplane collided with the ground and burned. No preimpact mechanical problem with the airplane was reported by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 1997, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235C, N9567P, collided with the tops of trees during a swath run pull up three miles west of the Early County Airport in Blakely, Georgia. The aerial application flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot was not injured, but the airplane was destroyed. The flight departed Blakely, Georgia, at 1120. The pilot had completed a swath run and was in the process of climbing out from the field when the collision with the tree occurred. The pilot also stated that prior to the collision , he looking back checking the drift of the spray for the next swath run. He said that he was aware of the trees and had planned the climbout under a set of utility lines before the trees. After the collision the airplane became difficult to control, the pilot realized that he had to land. The airplane collided with the ground and burned. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9567P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9567P-1998-05-28), registration cancelled 1998-05-28, S/N 257405709 (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: 25-7405709 - Airframe hours: 7400 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2C5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: James E. Burch - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 11J ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,750 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABY, 28 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 19971020031539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971020031539A), Oct 20, 1997: Piper PA25235, Blakely, GA, Destroyed. Acft wing tip struck trees during aerial application, Blakely, GA. (-23) pilot james burch was spraying a cotton field and he hit the top of an oak tree and… 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.