# NTSB CEN23LA335: Piper PA-25-235, N7094Z, Tyler, MN, July 28, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 28, 2023, 11:02 local (16:02 UTC) - Place: Tyler, MN - Coordinates: 44.291693, -96.153769 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2917&lon=-96.1538&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192748 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA335 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192748/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192748 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA335 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flap position during takeoff, which resulted in degraded climb performance and a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: 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 attempted the takeoff with the flaps in the half or first notch position. Unable to rotate during the takeoff roll, the pilot selected the full flap position, and the agricultural airplane lifted off the 2,500-ft long turf airstrip about 150 feet before the end of the runway. The airplane was unable to climb out of ground effect and contacted corn stalks that were located past the end of the runway. The airplane descended into the vegetation and came to rest nose down and upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. According to the airplane owner’s handbook, a takeoff distance of about 1,370 feet was required to clear a 50-foot obstacle with the sprayer configuration. The handbook recommended that the wing flaps be retracted at all times during takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7094Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7094Z-2023-11-22), registration cancelled 2023-11-22, S/N 25-5052, built 1969 (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 O-235-F1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-235-f1) (registry code 42041, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-5052 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 7029 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2-B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 4, 2023 - Departed: 63Y, Tyler, MN - Airport: 63Y, Tyler Municipal Airport, runway 32, 2,517 × 160 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 21, 2022; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,126 total, 837 in this make and model, 1,070 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KMML, 17 nm away - METAR: KMML 281556Z AUTO 03008KT 10SM CLR 26/22 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP137 T02610217 PNO $= ## 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 20230728008879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230728008879A), Jul 28, 2023: Piper PA-25-235, Tyler, MN, Substantial damage. The aerial applicator had started spraying fields at 6:30 am. Fog set in and the pilot had to stop spraying and wait for the fog to clear. At approximately… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192748. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16043600&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16044115&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Pawnee owner's handbook excerpts (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16042868&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pawnee%20C%20Owners%20Handbook-Rel.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.