# NTSB CHI84LA266: Piper PA-36-300, N3681E, Lake Benton, MN, June 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1984, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Lake Benton, MN
- Coordinates: 44.259292, -96.290679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2593&lon=-96.2907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA266

## 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 - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,rudder - separation
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, THE PLT WAS CROSSING UNDER A POWER LINE WHEN A WIRE CAUGHT THE RUDDER & SEPARATED ITFROM THE ACFT. DURING A LANDING, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND 1ST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3681E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7960049
- Airframe hours: 1016
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Kohlaas Spraying, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1984, 93 hours before
- Departed: LAKE BENTON, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,637 total, 1,210 in this make and model, 1,567 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MML, 24 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 19840628027649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840628027649A), Jun 28, 1984: Piper PA36300, Lake Benton, MN, Destroyed. Rudder was torn off trying to fly under a powerline during a spray run. Lost control and crashed.

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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