# NTSB CHI03LA272: Piper PA-25, N4346Y, Brandon, WI, August 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 2003, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Brandon, WI - Coordinates: 43.621944, -88.76667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6219&lon=-88.7667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57736 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57736/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA272 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain clearance from the corn crop during an aerial application maneuver. Additional factors were the terrain induced turbulence and the corn crop. ## 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 - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence,terrain induced (contributing factor) ## Analysis The part 137 aerial application airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted the corn crop and terrain during a spray pass over the field. The pilot reported that approximately 70 gallons of chemical remained as he was making the aerial swath before the accident. He reported the winds were from the south at 9 knots gusting to 14 knots, and the temperature was 88 degrees Fahrenheit. He reported the airplane was descending over a treeline heading southbound when it experienced moderate turbulence. He reported that he was "unable to stop the descent before the airplane made contact with the corn." The airplane continued it's descent and the nose of the airplane impacted the ground and the airplane skidded to a stop. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 2003, at 1700 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N4346Y, operated by Reabe Flying Service, sustained substantial damaged on impact with a corn crop and terrain near Brandon, Wisconsin, during a spray pass over the field. The commercial pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight departed from Waupun Airport (WI07), Waupun, Wisconsin, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that approximately 70 gallons of chemical remained as he was making the aerial swath before the accident. He reported the winds were from the south at 9 knots gusting to 14 knots, and the temperature was 88 degrees Fahrenheit. He reported the airplane was descending over a treeline heading southbound when it experienced moderate turbulence. He reported that he was "unable to stop the descent before the airplane made contact with the corn." The airplane continued it's descent and the nose of the airplane impacted the ground and the airplane skidded to a stop. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4346Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4346Y-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 25-4843, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-4843 - Airframe hours: 9277 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Reabe Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2003, 273 hours before - Departed: WI07, Waupun Airport, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2003; seat: single; flight hours: 7,191 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 5,123 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: OSH, 25 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 20030819021449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030819021449A), Aug 19, 2003: Piper PA25260, Brandon, WI, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot had made several passes over corn field. On last pass he encountered wind shear crossing tree line. Aircraft settled into corn. Pilot was unable to… 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.