# NTSB CHI86FEM14: Piper PA-25-235, N6862Z, White Pigeon, MI, August 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1986, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: White Pigeon, MI
- Coordinates: 41.790657, -85.639923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7907&lon=-85.6399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FEM14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEM14

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH A FULL LOAD OF SEED ON A 1300 FT RUNWAY DURING SHIFTING WIND CONDITIONS. HE STRUCK A FENCE BEFORE HE HAD ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO ESTABLISH A CLIMB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6862Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6862Z), registered now, S/N 25-2548, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-B2B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-b2b5) (registry code 42337, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-48
- Airframe hours: 1405
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Phil L. Balog, Inc., doing business as Balog'S Crop Dusting Inc.
- Registered owner: Phil L. Balog
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1986, 97 hours before
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 9, 1,300 × 6 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,460 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 27 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 19860818040649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860818040649A), Aug 18, 1986: Piper PA25235, White Pigeon, MI, Substantial damage. The aircraft stalled into a corn field during takeoff. Shifting winds and turbulence factors.

## Other investigations on N6862Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI94LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA006), Oct 5, 1993: Piper PA-25-235 (N6862Z), Frankfort, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to perform refueling.

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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