# NTSB BFO88LA084: Piper PA-25-235, N7781Z, Princess Anne, MD, September 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1988, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Princess Anne, MD
- Coordinates: 38.199836, -75.690246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1998&lon=-75.6902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11440/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA084

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application
  - electrical system,battery - corroded (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - shorted (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - smoke
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SPRAYED APRX 1/2 OF THE SOYBEAN FIELD WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO FILL THE COCKPIT. HE SHUT OFF THE SPRAY, TURNED OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND OPENED THE FRESH AIR VENTS. HE THEN LOOKED BACK AT THE TAIL SECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AND NOTED THAT THE AREA NEAR THE BATTERY WAS GLOWING RED AND EMITTING SMOKE. HE THEN DECIDED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING FEARING THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD CATCH FIRE IF THE FLIGHT WAS CONTINUED. THE LANDING WAS MADE ONTO A CURVED DIRT ROAD. WHILE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A TURN, THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A DIRT BANK AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED INTO A DITCH ALONG THE ROAD. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT BATTERY CABLE WAS CORRODED, SHORTED OUT AND WAS BEGINNING TO BURN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7781Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7781Z), registered now, S/N 25-3983, built 1966 (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: 25-3983
- Airframe hours: 2591
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Agri-Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Helicopter Applicators, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1988, 222 hours before
- Departed: ATLANTIC, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,397 total, 934 in this make and model, 1,350 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 11 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 19880923040199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880923040199A), Sep 23, 1988: Piper PA25235, Princess Anne, MD, Substantial damage. Smoky cockpit on spray run. Noted fuselage red glow near battery. Landed dirt road. Hit ditch. Battery cable short.

## Other investigations on N7781Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC82DHA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DHA05), Dec 13, 1981: Piper PA-25 (N7781Z), Kutztown, PA, substantial damage

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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