# NTSB CHI84FA313: Intermountain Mfg. Callair A-7, N8240H, Newfolden, MN, July 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1984, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Newfolden, MN
- Coordinates: 48.350975, -96.320922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3510&lon=-96.3209&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): 12415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA313

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spiral - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - failure,total

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER COMPLETING TWO PASSES OVER THE FIELD BEING SPRAYED. BEFORE TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS LOADED WITH 80 GALS OF LIQUID INSECTICIDE. THE PLTS BROTHER, WHO WAS ACTING AS A FLAGMAN, SAID THAT THE ACFT 'STARTED TO SPIRAL TO THE GROUND' AFTER ENTERING A RT TURN FROM ABOUT 100 FT AGL. THE BROTHER CONTINUED, 'IT LOOKED PRETTY SMOOTH. THE PLANE'S ENGKEPT RUNNING NORMALLY UNTIL IT HIT.' OTHER WITNESSES CONFIRMED THAT THE ACFT WAS UNDER POWER UNTIL THE 'THUD.' THERE WASNO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT MECHANICAL OR PHYSICAL REASONS FOR THE ACCIDENT. THE PLTS EXPERIENCE LEVEL WAS RECORDED ON AN APPLICATION FOR A MEDICAL EXAM ON 6/2/84 AS 500 FLT HOURS. ON 4/5/83 HE OBTAINED A FLT INSTRUCTOR CERT. THIS APPLICATIONSHOWED A TOTAL TIME OF 257 HOURS AND PIC TIME OF 153 HRS. THE RECORDS TO SUPPORT AERIAL APPLICATION EXPERIENCE WERE NOT LOCATED. THE SEAT BELT WORN BY THE PLT DID NOT HAVE AN STC AND HAD SEPARATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONNECTING BUCKLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8240H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Intermountain Mfg. (IMCO) CALLAIR A-7 (CALLAIR A-)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1214
- Airframe hours: 2059
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Willis A. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: VIKING, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840727038699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840727038699A), Jul 27, 1984: Airpts A9, Newfolden, MN, Destroyed. After 2nd spray run, entered turn, spiraled and impacted ground. No mechanical defects, pilot not ag qualified.

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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