# NTSB CHI86FEM02: Piper PA-25-235, N7424Z, Holland, MI, November 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1985, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Holland, MI
- Coordinates: 42.769329, -86.099006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7693&lon=-86.0990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEM02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - ice (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,strainer - ice (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A FORCED LNDG AFTER A LOSS OF POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT SAID THAT HE DRAINED FUEL FROM THE MAIN FUEL STRAINER AND FOUND NO WATER IN THE FUEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE ACFT CARBURETOR WAS DISASSEMBLED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THE FLOAT CHAMBER WAS FULL OF ICE. THE MAIN FUEL STRAINER WAS ALSO FOUND FULL OF ICE. THE FUEL CAME FROM THE OWNERS PICK-UP TRUCK AND WAS NOT CHECKEDFOR WATER. AFTER THE ACCIDENT IT WAS CHECKED AND WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SOURCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7424Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-3400
- Airframe hours: 7018
- Engines: LYCOMING O540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Robertson Crop Dusting Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 1985, 209 hours before
- Airport: HLM, Park Township, runway 5, 3,075 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,609 total, 947 in this make and model, 3,451 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °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 19851123057969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851123057969A), Nov 23, 1985: Piper PA25235, Holland, MI, Substantial damage. Engine failed on takeoff, stalled and hit nose low. Gear collapsed. Water in owners fuel supply tank.

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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