# NTSB CHI85LA358: Piper PA-36-285, N40920, Fergus Falls, MN, August 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1985, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Fergus Falls, MN
- Coordinates: 46.279769, -96.060073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2798&lon=-96.0601&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): 13198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA358
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA358

## 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
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHEN THE PLT ENTERED A STEEP RIGHT TURN AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOOSE ALT SO THE PLT ADDED FULL PWR AND LEVELED THE WINGS. WHEN THE ACFT WAS CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND SLOW THE PLT NOTICED A ROW OF TREES ALONG THE FLT PATH. DURING A PULL UP IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE TREES, THE ACFT STALLED AND CONTACTED THE TREES FOLLOWED BY THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N40920 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7460009
- Airframe hours: 2308
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 6-285-C(2) 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Thomas A. Devorak
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 7, 1985, 53 hours before
- Departed: FFM, FERGUS FALLS, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 381 total, 104 in this make and model, 273 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FFM, 6 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 19850823040209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850823040209A), Aug 23, 1985: Piper PA36285, Fergus Falls, MN, Substantial damage. Pulled up to avoid a row of trees and stalled into trees. Impacted ground.

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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