# NTSB CHI83FA393: Piper PA-25-150, N6253Z, Graceville, MN, August 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1983, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Graceville, MN
- Coordinates: 45.559322, -96.430236 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5593&lon=-96.4302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA393
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA393

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE SPRAYING A FIELD ADJACENT TO A HOUSE THE ACFT STRUCK A GUY WIRE WHICH HAD BEEN STRUNG BETWEEN A 82 FT TOWER ON THE HOUSE & A 28 FT POLE SUPPORTED BY WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6253Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6253Z-1989-09-13), registration cancelled 1989-09-13, S/N 25312 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25) (registry code 7102502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-312
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Thomas Bauer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: GRACEVILLE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AXN, 45 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 19830826048179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830826048179A), Aug 26, 1983: Piper PA25150, Graceville, MN, Destroyed. Struck a tv antenna tower guide wire during a turn around. Crashed and burned. History of heart disease.

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.