# NTSB CHI92DER02: Piper PA-25-235, N4704Y, Badger, MN, July 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1992, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Badger, MN
- Coordinates: 48.769531, -96.020317 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7695&lon=-96.0203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15248
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DER02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15248/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DER02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE IN GUSTY WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - abrupt, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS AERIAL APPLICATION OF AN HERBICIDE.  THE PILOT REPORTED DURING A LOW ALTITUDE STEEP TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION, THERE WAS A SUDDEN '...WIND SHEAR WHICH RANGED FROM A STRONG GUST TO CALM WITHIN A PERIOD OF SECONDS.'  THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER AND LEVELED THE WINGS AS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND POST-IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4704Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4704Y-1993-03-30), registration cancelled 1993-03-30, S/N 254435 (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: 25-4435
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Slater Spraying Service
- Registered owner: Holte, James K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1992, 20 hours before
- Departed: ROX, ROSEAU, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 710 total, 55 in this make and model, 635 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920710024979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920710024979A), Jul 10, 1992: Piper PA25235, Badger, MN, Destroyed. Encountered wind shear during low level steep turn to spray a corner. Impacted level. Fire erupted totaled aircraft

## Other investigations on N4704Y (3)

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.

- [NTSB FTW76FRJ30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FRJ30), Jul 17, 1976: Piper PA-25 (N4704Y), Gilbert, LA, destroyed
- [NTSB FTW73DPG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DPG05), Jul 23, 1972: Piper PA-25 (N4704Y), Eudora, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA69D0135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0135), Sep 6, 1968: Piper PA-25 (N4704Y), Greenville, MS, substantial damage

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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