# NTSB CHI87DEP07: Piper PA-36, N57791, Plover, WI, June 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1987, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Plover, WI
- Coordinates: 44.460083, -89.539688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4601&lon=-89.5397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEP07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEP07

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER SPRAYING MOST OF A BEAN CROP, THE PLT WAS MAKING CLEAN-UP SWATHS OVER AN AREA AT THE NORTH SIDE OF THE FIELD. THIS AREA HAD BLDGS TO THE WEST & TREES TO THE EAST. TO AVOID FLYING TOWARD THE BLDGS, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE THE PASSES TO THE EAST (TOWARD THE SUN). AS HE WAS PULLING UP FROM THE 3RD CLEAN-UP SWATH, THE ACFT ROSE ABOVE THE SHORTER TREES; HOWEVER, THE PLT DID NOT SEE A TALLER TREE DUE TO SUNGLARE & CHEMICAL SPRAY ON HIS WINDSHIELD. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE TALL TREE, THEN THE ACFT YAWED TO THE LEFT, CRASHED & WAS EXTENSIVELY DMGD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57791](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57791-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 367660105 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7660105
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jeffrey R. Reabe
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1987, 90 hours before
- Departed: 8W13, PLOVER, WI
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,451 total, 828 in this make and model, 4,280 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUW, 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 19870622021749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870622021749A), Jun 22, 1987: Piper PA36285, Plover, WI, Destroyed. Blinded by sun on pull up from spray run a wing hit a tree. Aircraft spun around hit ground with wing. Cartwheeled.

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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