# NTSB CHI92DTK01: Piper PA-25-235, N4427Y, Iroquois, SD, May 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1992, 20:25 local (May 18, 1992, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Iroquois, SD
- Coordinates: 44.360473, -97.839416 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3605&lon=-97.8394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DTK01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DTK01

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPER MANEUVER AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN LEVEL OFF BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION.

## 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
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - level off - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WITNESSES NEAR THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT SAW THE AIRPLANE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS TO A WHEAT FIELD.  THEY SAW THE AIRPLANE COMPLETE A SWATH RUN AND THEN DESCEND INTO THE TERRAIN AS IT TURNED TO RETURN TO THE FIELD.  A REVIEW OF THE PILOTS LOG BOOK REVEALED MINIMAL EXPERIENCE CONDUCTING AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4427Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4427Y-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N 25-4050, built 1966 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4050
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Drew Dale Metter, doing business as Metter'S Aerial Spraying
- Registered owner: Drew Dale Metter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1992, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 548 total, 75 in this make and model, 516 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920517015259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920517015259A), May 17, 1992: Piper PA25235, Iroquois, SD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wreckage indicates a stall during spray run turn around.

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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