# NTSB CEN25LA336: Piper PA-25-235, N7239Z, Argusville, ND, August 23, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 23, 2025, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC) - Place: Argusville, ND - Coordinates: 47.0522, -96.9345 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0522&lon=-96.9345&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200843 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200843/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200843 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA336 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [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 pilot reported that while maneuvering at low altitude during aerial application to a field, he noticed power lines. He pushed the control stick forward to maneuver the airplane underneath the power lines and then attempted to pull back on the control stick; however, due to the proximity to the ground, the airplane impacted terrain. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7239Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7239Z-2026-05-19), registration cancelled 2026-05-19, S/N 25-3163, built 1965 (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: 25-3163 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 2091 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2-B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Zachary Wolf - Registered owner: Wischer Enterprises LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2025, 124 hours before - Departed: NA60, Grandin, ND - Airport: NA60, Dakota Airport - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2025; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 855 total, 280 in this make and model, 768 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 16 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KFAR, 9 nm away - METAR: KFAR 231453Z 32016G27KT 10SM BKN026 BKN033 16/11 A3013 ## 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 20250823011449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250823011449A), Aug 23, 2025: Piper PA-25-235, Argusville, ND, Substantial damage. The aircraft accident occurred during aerial application of pesticide where the pilot in command (PIC) encountered power lines, lost control while attempting… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 15, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200843. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19749703&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Form%206120-New-2_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 926 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19607655&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos-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.