# NTSB CHI93LA185: Piper PA-36-400, N2342Y, Elbow Lake, MN, May 31, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1993, 17:54 local (22:54 UTC)
- Place: Elbow Lake, MN
- Coordinates: 45.989257, -95.969726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9893&lon=-95.9697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA185

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual outlook during aerial application manuevers.

## 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 - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS AWARE OF THE POWER LINES BORDERING THE FIELD HE WAS SPRAYING, BUT MOMENTARILY FORGOT ABOUT THEM WHILE CONCENTRATING ON THE APPROACH AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURES TO THE FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE POWER LINES AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD.

## Factual narrative

On May 31, 1993, about 1754 central daylight time, a Piper  PA-36-400 airplane, N2342Y, sustained substantial damage when it collided with power lines near Elbow Lake, Minnesota, during an aerial application run.  The solo commercial pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local 14 CFR Part 137 flight.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.  He said he was aware of the power lines, but was concerned with working the approach and departure procedures to the small field, and momentarily forgot about the wires until he hit them.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2342Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2342Y-2014-09-19), registration cancelled 2014-09-19, S/N 36-8160011, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-300) (registry code 7103612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-8160011
- Airframe hours: 826
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Haberer, Mark M.
- Registered owner: J&H Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1993, 50 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 813 total, 41 in this make and model, 754 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AWO

## 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 19930531015729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930531015729A), May 31, 1993: Piper PA36300, Elbow Lake, MN, Substantial damage. Forgot about known power lines end of spray run. Struck wires and crashed.

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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