# NTSB CEN09CA483: Piper PA-25-235, N6701Z, Royal, IA, August 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2009, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Royal, IA - Coordinates: 43.060001, -95.800003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0600&lon=-95.8000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74428 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA483 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74428/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74428 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA483 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the crop during an aerial application maneuver. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The aerial application airplane, while spraying a field, descended into crops and sustained substantial damage on impact with the crops. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the aerial application airplane stated that he was about 200 feet above ground level and was lined up about one-half mile from the field he was going to spray. He set a descent angle to clear powerlines. Approximately 30 feet above the crop he began to level off and engaged the spray handle. He said, "I felt the aircraft start to load the wings and then just give-way." The airplane descended into the crops and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the flight. His safety recommendation stated that if a shallower approach angle was used or if the level off maneuver was started higher, the accident may have been prevented. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6701Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6701Z), registered now, S/N 25-2308, built 1963 (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: 25-2308 - Airframe hours: 5900 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hoppe Air Service LLC - Registered owner: Osher Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2009 - Departed: SPW, Spencer, IA - Destination: SPW, Spencer, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 1,700 total, 350 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: SPW, 10 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 20090803016529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090803016529A), Aug 3, 2009: Piper PA25235, Royal, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was commencing aerial application operations. The pilot reported that the aircraft had 39 gallons of fuel and 104 gallons of chemical. Pilot report… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74428. 875 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 875 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317600&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.