# NTSB CHI94LA218: Callair A9B, N2851F, Minot, ND, July 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1994, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Minot, ND
- Coordinates: 48.230449, -101.290695 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2304&lon=-101.2907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9583/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA218

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wheat field.  A factor was the turbulence.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS FLYING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN ALONG THE SIDE OF A HILL.  HE SAID HE FLEW THROUGH A WHIRLWIND AND THE BOOM STRUCK THE WHEAT. THE AIRPLANE SWUNG AROUND AND STOPPED IN APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET

## Factual narrative

On July 1, 1994, about 1600 central daylight time, a Callair A9B airplane, N2851F, operated by Pietsch Spraying Inc. of Minot, North Dakota, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain 12 miles southwest of Minot.  The commercial pilot sustained no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight conducted under CFR 14 Part 137.  The local flight originated at Minot International Airport about 1530.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported the airplane was equipped with "super booms" which trail beneath the airplane.  He said he was flying low to optimize spraying along the side of a hill.  On the fourth pass he "went through a whirlwind and stuck the boom in the wheat."  He said the airplane swung around, impacted the terrain, and stopped in approximately 300 feet.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2851F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2851F-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N 1367, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CALLAIR A9B
- Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-a-9b) (registry code 0144206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1367
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Pietsch Spraying Inc.
- Registered owner: Alfred C. Pietsch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 45,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 45,000 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOT, 12 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 19940701017339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940701017339A), Jul 1, 1994: Airpts A9B, Minot, ND, Substantial damage. Swath run adjacent to hill. Flew thru whirlwind. Boom struck wheat. Swing around stopping in 300FT.

## Other investigations on N2851F (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 MKC76DTG20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DTG20), Jun 25, 1976: Callair A9B (N2851F), Minot, ND, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.