# NTSB CHI93LA017: Piper PA-25-260, N8675L, Trenton, ND, October 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1992, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Trenton, ND
- Coordinates: 48.079929, -103.840286 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0799&lon=-103.8403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA017

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER AIRCRAFT HANDLING WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - buzzing, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A WITNESS REPORTED THE PILOT WAS MAKING A SERIES OF LOW PASSES OVER A FARM HOUSE, PULLING UP AND CHANGING DIRECTION BETWEEN EACH PASS.  HE STATED THE PILOT '...DISPENSED SOME SORT OF SMOKE...' DURING THE PASSES.  THE FAA INSPECTOR STATED THE LEFT WING OF THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SMALL TREE DURING A LOW PASS.  WITNESSES STATED ON ABOUT THE FIFTH LOW PASS, THE AIRPLANE PULLED UP IN A STEEP BANK TURN, THEN PITCHED DOWN AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. A POSTIMPACT GROUND FIRE ENSUED.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8675L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8675L-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 25-5084, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-5084
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jamestown Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Jamestown Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1991, 200 hours before
- Departed: JMS, JAMESTOWN, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 889 total, 103 in this make and model, 826 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISN, 300 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 19921024043289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921024043289A), Oct 24, 1992: Piper PA25260, Trenton, ND, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled during climbing turn after buzzing brothers farm house. Dived into ground and burned.

## Other investigations on N8675L (1)

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 DEN70F0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70F0051), Aug 2, 1969: Piper PA-25 (N8675L), Estancia, NM, destroyed

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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