# NTSB CHI07LA254: Piper PA-25-235, N7263Z, Overly, ND, August 2, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 2007, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Overly, ND
- Coordinates: 48.682723, -100.14942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6827&lon=-100.1494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Fargo, North Dakota FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66558
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66558/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA254

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during the agricultural application flight. Contributing to the accident was the wheat 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)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged when it descended into a wheat field during an agricultural spray operation.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.  He said that he was in a left turn executing a "clean-up" pass when the left spray boom contacted the crop resulting in the aiplane descending into the terrain.

## Factual narrative

On August 2, 2007, about 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7263Z, operated by Dan's Crop Service, and piloted by a commercial pilot sustained substantial damage while maneuvering near Overly, North Dakota.  The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. No injuries were reported. The local flight originated about 10 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot reported that he was spraying his own wheat crop when the accident occurred.  He stated that he had completed a pass and was executing a left turn when he decided to make a "clean-up" pass.  During the turn, the left spray boom, which hung about 18 inches below the wing, contacted the crop resulting in the airplane continuing to turn and descend into the terrain.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7263Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7263Z), registered now, S/N 25-3200, 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: 25-3200
- Airframe hours: 6774
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007
- Departed: Overly, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: center; flight hours: 3,103 total, 607 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: MOT

## Other investigations on N7263Z (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 SEA69D0202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69D0202), Mar 8, 1969: Piper PA-25 (N7263Z), Pomeroy, WA, 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.

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