# NTSB CEN16LA334: Piper PA 25-235, N4963Y, Bushton, KS, August 25, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2016, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Bushton, KS - Coordinates: 38.506111, -98.39611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5061&lon=-98.3961&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 15, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Wichita FSDO, Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 93891 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA334 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93891/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93891 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA334 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 commercial pilot was applying pesticide to a field when the engine experienced a partial loss of power and did not respond to throttle inputs. The airplane collided with tall crops and subsequently came to rest inverted. Examination of the engine and associated components revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2016, about 1250 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 single-engine airplane, N4963Y, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing near Bushton, Kansas. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated by Wayne's Ag Aviation; Ellsworth, Kansas, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight departed Ellsworth Municipal Airport (9K7), Ellsworth, Kansas, about 1130. The pilot was applying pesticide to a field when there was a partial loss of power and the engine did not respond to throttle inputs. The pilot flew straight ahead, colliding with tall milo crops, and the airplane came to rest inverted. There was a post-impact fuel and pesticide leak, but no post-impact fire. There were no witnesses to the accident. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the engine on August 30, 2016. They reported finding no evidence of pre-impact catastrophic mechanical malfunction. Mechanical continuity was established during hand rotation of the crankshaft. The spark plugs electrodes remained mechanically undamaged and exhibited coloration consistent with normal operation. Spark was obtained from the magnetos. All fuel lines were found to be in place and secure. Fuel consistent with the appearance and odor of aviation fuel was noted. The gascolator and carburetor fuel screens were clean. The throttle/mixture controls were found securely attached at their control arms on the carburetor. and continuity to the cockpit was established. The air cleaner was free and clear of foreign objects. The engine had straight pipes and no muffler. According to the FAA "Carburetor Icing Prevention" chart, under the conditions that prevailed, serious icing was possible at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4963Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4963Y-2021-06-26), registration cancelled 2021-06-26, S/N 25-4764, built 1968 (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: 25-4764 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 5973 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 2016 - Departed: 9K7, Ellsworth, KS - Destination: 9K7, Ellsworth, KS - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,630 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 2,520 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KGBD, 24 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 20160825015839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160825015839A), Aug 25, 2016: Piper PA-25-235, Bushton, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that the engine lost power, with no response to throttle advancement. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a field with "tall milo [crop]."… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 27, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93891. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466000&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-Master.PDF - Maps (item 3, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466002&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps-Master.PDF - Weather Summary (item 4, .PDF, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466004&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.