# NTSB CHI90LA226: Piper PA-25-150, N6358Z, Minden, NE, August 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1990, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NE
- Coordinates: 40.500389, -98.949104 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5004&lon=-98.9491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA226

## Probable cause

A STALL ENCOUNTERED BECAUSE OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PIC. FACTORS WERE A PARTIAL POWERPLANT FAILURE DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, CARBURETOR HEAT NOT USED BY THE PIC, AND LOAD JETTISON NOT PERFORMED BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

WHILE EXECUTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION TURN-AROUND MANEUVER, THE PLT SAID THAT THE POWERPLANT SEEMED TO LOSE POWER. THE ACFT STALLED, COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN, SLID TO A STOP, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING AT THE TIME, AND POST ACCIDENT ENGINE INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6358Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6358Z-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N 25474 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25) (registry code 7102502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-474
- Airframe hours: 1263
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Michael P. Cavanaugh
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1990, 70 hours before
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAR, 20 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 19900812033419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900812033419A), Aug 12, 1990: Piper PA25150, Minden, NE, Destroyed. Lost power on spray turn-around. Stalled, crashed and burned. Conditions for carburetor icing prevailed.

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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