# NTSB CHI92DTG01: Piper PA-25-235, N6541Z, Gardner, ND, May 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1992, 21:00 local (May 29, 1992, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Gardner, ND
- Coordinates: 47.140945, -96.959449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1409&lon=-96.9594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DTG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DTG01

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

DURING AERIAL APPLICATION, THE PILOT HAD ALMOST COMPLETED A REVERSAL TURN AND WAS BEGINNING TO ROLL OUT FOR THE SWATH RUN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6541Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6541Z-2020-05-14), registration cancelled 2020-05-14, S/N 25-2080 (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: 25-2080
- Airframe hours: 2761
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Scott A. Thompson, doing business as Thompson Farm Air
- Registered owner: Skroch, Ed Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1992, 14 hours before
- Departed: 0ND2, GRANDIN, ND
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,800 total, 80 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 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 19920528016739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920528016739A), May 28, 1992: Piper PA25235, Gardner, ND, Substantial damage. Stalled in downwind turn,partly recovered wings level on impact. Blamed windshear.

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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