# NTSB CEN11CA477: Piper PA-25-235, N7709Z, Minot, ND, July 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 13, 2011, 20:00 local (Jul 14, 2011, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Minot, ND - Coordinates: 48.257499, -101.277778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2575&lon=-101.2778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 6, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Fargo FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81104 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA477 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81104/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81104 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA477 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate inspection of the takeoff area which resulted in a collision with terrain and the subsequent loss of control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was departing from a gravel township road for an aerial application flight. During takeoff, he lowered the left wing to compensate for a crosswind. The left spray boom hit a buildup of dirt that was concealed by tall grass on the side of the road. This resulted in the airplane veering off the left side of the road and into a ditch which caused substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was departing from a gravel township road. He lowered the left wing during the takeoff roll due to a crosswind. The left spray boom hit a buildup of dirt that was concealed by tall grass on the side of the road. The airplane veered off the left side of the road and into the ditch which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7709Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7709Z-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 25-3871, 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: 25-3871 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Strategic Air LLC - Registered owner: Precision Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Minot, ND - Destination: Minot, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 6,678 total, 501 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20110713014729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110713014729A), Jul 13, 2011: Piper PA-25-235, Minot, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft was takingoff from a closed gravel road. On rotation the upwind spray boom contacted the grass on the shoulder of the road. The aircraft pivoted… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 6, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81104. 156 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.