# NTSB CHI08CA243: Piper PA-25-235, N7297Z, Cosmos, MN, August 11, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 10, 2008, 19:30 local (Aug 11, 2008, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Cosmos, MN
- Coordinates: 44.983055, -94.748054
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9831&lon=-94.7481&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA243

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the guide wire while maneuvering on an aerial application flight.  Contributing to the accident was the presence of the guide wire.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (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)
- [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)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [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)
- [Uncontrolled descent: 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 airplane contacted a telephone pole guide wire during an aerial application flight.  The airplane then impacted an open field and came to rest on a residential driveway.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane before the wire strike.

## Factual narrative

The airplane contacted a telephone pole guide wire during an aerial application flight.  The airplane then impacted an open field and came to rest on a residential driveway.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane before the wire strike.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7297Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7297Z-2009-05-15), registration cancelled 2009-05-15, S/N 25-3107, 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: 25-3107
- Airframe hours: 7268
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jeffrey Kyle Lux
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008
- Departed: MN28, Cosmos, MN
- Destination: MN28, Cosmos, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: single; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 20080810846369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080810846369A), Aug 10, 2008: Piper PA25235, Cosmos, MN, Destroyed. (-23) [privacy data omitted] had been spraying the field where the accident occurred, making passes from north to south, then pulling up over the wires on the…

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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