# NTSB CHI92DTK03: Piper PA-25-235/250, N4601Y, Ramona, SD, June 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1992, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, SD
- Coordinates: 44.120204, -97.209197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1202&lon=-97.2092&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 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DTK03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DTK03

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT WHILE MANEUVERING DURING AERIAL APPLICATION OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS.

## 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 - tree(s)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN.  IT REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE AND THEN COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.  THE PILOT TOLD LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES THAT HE 'LOOKED DOWN AT HIS GAUGES AND WHEN HE LOOKED UP HE NOTICED HE WAS GOING TO HIT THE TOP OF A TREE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4601Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4601Y-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 25-4293, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235/250 (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: 254293
- Airframe hours: 3621
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Lentsch, Bruce L, doing business as Lentsch Aerial Spraying
- Registered owner: Lentsch, Bruce L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1992, 19 hours before
- Departed: NONE, HOWARD, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,600 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19920624021709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920624021709A), Jun 24, 1992: Piper PA25235, Ramona, SD, Destroyed. Looked at cockpit gauges during pullup and struck tree tops. Lost control,hit ground sideways and cartwheeled.

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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