# NTSB CHI01LA281: Piper PA-25-235, N6794Z, Kenmare, ND, August 16, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 2001, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Kenmare, ND - Coordinates: 48.669384, -102.079742 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6694&lon=-102.0797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53077 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53077/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA281 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain clearance with the terrain during the aerial application flight. Factors associated with the accident were the high vegetation and the pilot's diverted attention during the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane collided with the terrain during an aerial application flight. The pilot reported he was applying Roundup RT on a flax field which contained kochia weeds which were about 4 feet tall and the flax was about 18 - 20 inches tall. He reported that this was the second load that he was spaying on this field and he had been dropping flags to mark the spot where he turned on the chemicals. He reported that he flew in over wires and noticed what he thought was a flag directly in line with the pass. In addition, the pilot reported, "I use a Satloc GPS marking system with the light bar attached between the chemical tank and the fuel tank. If the spray is turned on after being turned off while on the same pass, the GPS light bar will blink indicating that the airplane is on a pass that has already been sprayed." The pilot looked at the light bar which was blinking at which time he felt the "...airplane lurch as the wheels touched either the weeds or the flax crop. At the same time as the plane lurched, the chemical in the tank sloshed out of the top of the tank and covered the windshield." The pilot reported that he kept the nose of the airplane up and the airplane settled into the field. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2001, at 1115 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N6794Z, collided with the terrain during an aerial application flight in Kenmare, North Dakota. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated in Kenmare, North Dakota, at 1100. The pilot reported he was applying Roundup RT on a flax field which contained kochia weeds which were about 4 feet tall and the flax was about 18 - 20 inches tall. He reported that this was the second load that he was spaying on this field and he had been dropping flags to mark the spot where he turned on the chemicals. He reported that he flew in over wires and noticed what he thought was a flag directly in line with the pass. In addition, the pilot reported, "I use a Satloc GPS marking system with the light bar attached between the chemical tank and the fuel tank. If the spray is turned on after being turned off while on the same pass, the GPS light bar will blink indicating that the airplane is on a pass that has already been sprayed." The pilot looked at the light bar which was blinking at which time he felt the "...airplane lurch as the wheels touched either the weeds or the flax crop. At the same time as the plane lurched, the chemical in the tank sloshed out of the top of the tank and covered the windshield." The pilot reported that he kept the nose of the airplane up and the airplane settled into the field. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6794Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6794Z), registered now, S/N 25-2439, 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: 25-2439 - Airframe hours: 6893 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Henry L. Bodmer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2001, 187 hours before - Departed: 7K5, Kenmare, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 11, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 5,900 total, 2,350 in this make and model, 5,579 as pilot in command, 211 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MOT, 38 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 20010816026499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010816026499A), Aug 16, 2001: Piper PA25235, Kenmare, ND, No damage. (-23) Pilot became distracted while monitoring GPS and field markers. Aircraft's landing gear became entangled in the crop and crashed. ## Other investigations on N6794Z (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW69D0508](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0508), May 1, 1969: Piper PA-25 (N6794Z), Cisco, TX, substantial damage 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.