# NTSB CHI89DEP05: Piper PA-25-235, N4395Y, Suring, WI, May 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1989, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Suring, WI
- Coordinates: 45.179122, -88.480628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1791&lon=-88.4806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEP05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14207/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEP05

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION  AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.   FACTORS RELATED TO TH ACCIDENT WERE:   THE LACK  OF  SUITABLE TERRAIN AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETION OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE PILOT MADE A CLIMBING TURN TO RETURN TO THE STAGING AREA. DURING THE CLIMB, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY LANDING WAS INITIATED. HOWEVER, DUE TO LOW ALTITUDE, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE THE AIRCRAFT TO A SUITABLE LANDING SITE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THEN THE TERRAIN. A SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONLY UNUSABLE FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4395Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4395Y-1992-02-24), registration cancelled 1992-02-24, S/N 254907 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4907
- Airframe hours: 4068
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B-2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ag-Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ag-Co Of Wisconsin Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1989, 7 hours before
- Departed: NONE, WILLIAMS FARMS, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,551 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 9,476 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MNM, 28 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 19890522012129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890522012129A), May 22, 1989: Piper PA25235, Suringin, WI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on agricultural positioning flight after spraying a field. Crashed into dense trees.

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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