# NTSB CHI91DER06: Piper PA-36-285, N57824, Fergus Falls, MN, June 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1991, 20:30 local (Jun 17, 1991, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Fergus Falls, MN
- Location: 46.2410° N, 96.1567° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from FERGUS FALLS RGNL (FFM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2410&lon=-96.1567&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DER06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER06

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES DURING AERIAL APLLICATION OPERATIONS.

## 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
  - pull-up - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS INVOLVED IN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF POWERLINES.  HE STATED THAT WHEN HE PULLED UP TO CLIMB OUT AFTER A SPRAY RUN, THE AIRPLANE DID NOT CLEAR THE TWO BOTTOM WIRES.  THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE BACK TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND LANDED WITH OUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57824](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57824), registered now, S/N 36-7660132, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 6-285-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-6-285-a) (registry code 17038, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7660132
- Airframe hours: 2651
- Engines: TELEDYNE CONT 6-285-C2 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: West Central Aerial, doing business as Sprayers Inc.
- Registered owner: Milton K. Baglien
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1991, 119 hours before
- Airport: FFM, Fergus Falls Municipal, runway 13, 5,640 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,215 total, 834 in this make and model, 2,084 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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