# NTSB BFO89DIG01: Piper PA-25-235, N4497Y, Preston, MD, June 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1989, 20:23 local (Jun 2, 1989, 00:23 UTC)
- Place: Preston, MD
- Coordinates: 38.710826, -75.899459 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7108&lon=-75.8995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89DIG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89DIG01

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WITH THE WHEAT CROP AS HE PASSED UNDER THE POWERLINE DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - crop
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT TO SPRAY A FIELD WHICH CONTAINED A 3 TO 4 FT TALL WHEAT CROP. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE SPRAYING OPERATION, HE FLEW UNDER POWER LINES WHICH CROSSED THE FIELD. WHEN DOING SO, THE MAIN GEAR CAUGHT THE WHEAT AND THE ACFT DESCENDED TOWARD THE TERRAIN. THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4497Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4169
- Airframe hours: 3354
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B285 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Air Ag, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Ag, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 24, 1989, 200 hours before
- Departed: PVT, HOMER SCHMIDT, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,044 total, 264 in this make and model, 1,002 as pilot in command, 292 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 29 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 19890601066849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890601066849A), Jun 1, 1989: Piper PA25235, Preston, MD, Substantial damage. Descended to fly under powerline during a swath run. Wheels caught in wheat. Dragged down hit ground and flipped.

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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