# NTSB CHI92DCD03: Piper PA-36-375, N3986E, Deloit, IA, April 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1992, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Deloit, IA
- Coordinates: 42.08942, -95.309791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0894&lon=-95.3098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15207/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCD03

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT IS THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## 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
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TOP OF A POWER TRANSMISSION WIRE ARRAY WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS.  HE STATED HIS CONCENTRATION WAS ON MAINTAINING CLEARANCE FROM THREE LARGE DIAMETER WIRES COMPRISING THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ARRAY.  HE FAILED TO SEE THE SMALLER WIRES OF THE UPPER PORTION UNTIL THE 'LAST SPLIT SECOND' BEFORE THE COLLISION.  THE WIRES REMAINED INTACT AND THE AIRPLANE REBOUNDED 300 FEET INTO A SMALL POND WHERE IT LANDED UPRIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3986E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3986E-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 36-7902030, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-375
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7902030
- Airframe hours: 1631
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-D1CD 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Darrell Johnson
- Registered owner: Darrell Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: SKI, SAC CITY, IA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,618 total, 2,682 in this make and model, 5,536 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3.5 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19920429012199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920429012199A), Apr 29, 1992: Piper PA36375, Deloit, IA, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines on spray pullup. Was flung backwards into flat spin and dropped into a pond.

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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