# NTSB BFO88DID04: Piper PA-25-250, N8668L, Waverly, VA, August 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1988, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Waverly, VA
- Coordinates: 37.030151, -77.090873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0302&lon=-77.0909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88DID04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88DID04

## 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 - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED PWR LINES, CRASHED AND BURNED DURING AN AERIAL APPLIATION FLT. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT IT LOOKED AS IF THE PLT DESCENDED TO FLY UNDER THE LINES WHEN IT SUDDENLY PULLED UP AND CONTACTED THEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8668L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8668L-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 255120 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 255120
- Airframe hours: 3089
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hummel Aviation Services, Inc., doing business as Dunlevy'S Spraying Service
- Registered owner: Hummel Aivation Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1988, 84 hours before
- Departed: AKQ, WAKEFIELD, VA
- Destination: WAVERLY, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,474 total, 122 in this make and model, 1,362 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880825035229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880825035229A), Aug 25, 1988: Piper PA25260, Waverly, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck wires crashed and burned while spraying crops on a farm field.

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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