# NTSB CHI94LA223: Piper PA-25-260, N9561P, Crosby, ND, July 8, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1994, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Crosby, ND
- Coordinates: 48.91061, -103.290367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.9106&lon=-103.2904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA223

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors associated with the accident are the rough runway, and the pilot's improper preflight planning.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE AGRICULTURAL SPRAY PLANE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM HIS ROUGH, TURF FARM STRIP. HE SAID HE FELT THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WHEEL 'DROP IN A RIDGE' DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND THAT THE SPRAY BOOM SUBSEQUENTLY CAUGHT IN THE WHEAT BORDERING THE RUNWAY. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO THE WHEAT FIELD. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE WERE CLAIMED OR DISCOVERED.

## Factual narrative

On July 8, 1994, about 1515 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25 airplane, N9561P, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from a private airstrip in Crosby, North Dakota. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions  without flight plan under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from the narrow airstrip with an empty chemical hopper for a local flight. He wrote in his report to the NTSB that the north/south oriented turf runway he selected for takeoff was much rougher than the east/west runway, but that the twenty knot prevailing wind from the north favored a takeoff to the north. During the takeoff roll, the pilot said that he felt the left main wheel "drop in a ridge" and that the spray boom subsequently caught in the adjacent wheat crop.  The pilot lost directional control, and the airplane went into the wheat field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9561P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9561P-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 25-7556224, built 1975 (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: 25-7556224
- Airframe hours: 2566
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-G2A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael D. Melby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1994, 133 hours before
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,227 total, 576 in this make and model, 135 in the last 90 days, 135 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19940708017829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940708017829A), Jul 8, 1994: Piper PA25260, Crosby, ND, Substantial damage. Local flight. Spray boom caught in bodering wheat crop. Veered into wheat. Failed maintain control in ruts.

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.