# NTSB CHI70F0217: Piper PA-25, N7020Z, Caro, MI, September 1, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 1, 1969
- Place: Caro, MI · CARO, MI
- Location: 43.4893° N, 83.4017° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Caro, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4893&lon=-83.4017&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 158288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI70F0217
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70F0217

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2590   69/9/1    CARO,MICH           PIPER PA-25         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 24, 956
        TIME - 1330                    N7020Z              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 450 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CARO,MICH                   CARO,MICH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: PROPELLER                       IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - PROPELLER AND ACCESSORIES: BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  600                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - POTATOES                                  TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  710
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- SPARE PROP,INSTALLED 30 HRS BEFORE ACCDT,CAME LOOSE.BOLTS WERE NOT TORQUED.PLT DIED 9/11/69.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7020Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7020Z-1971-12-16), registration cancelled 1971-12-16, S/N 25-2775 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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.