# NTSB CHI90DTG04: Piper PA-25-235, N7316Z, Parshall, ND, August 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1990, 19:00 local (Aug 13, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Parshall, ND
- Coordinates: 47.949611, -102.129623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9496&lon=-102.1296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DTG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DTG04

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF POWERPLANT CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - mixture - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AERIAL APPLICATOR WAS RETURNING TO BASE AFTER COMPLETING A SPRAYING JOB WHEN HE SAW A PREVIOUSLY SPRAYED FIELD WHICH HE THOUGHT COULD STANT ONE MORE SWATH RUN. ON COMPLETION OF SWATH RUN PILOT INADVERTENTLY SECURED THE ENGINE MIXTURE INSTEAD OF THE SPRAY TANK SYSTEM. THE PILOT MADE A HARD LANDING IN AN ADJACENT WHEAT FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7316Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7316Z-1999-08-03), registration cancelled 1999-08-03, S/N 25-3262 (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: 25-3262
- Airframe hours: 5552
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Kuehn'S Aerial Spraying, Inc.
- Registered owner: Jon E Kuehn
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1990, 102 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,350 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,050 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25,000,000 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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