# NTSB CHI94LA233: Piper PA-25-235, N6580Z, Tribune, KS, July 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1994, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Tribune, KS
- Coordinates: 38.469928, -101.749114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4699&lon=-101.7491&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): 9597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA233

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the corn crop during the swath run.

## 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
  - level off - attempted, pilot in command
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER FLYING OVER POWERLINES, HE LEVELED THE AIRPLANE ABOUT 4 FEET ABOVE THE CORN CROP.  AS HE WAS OPENING THE SPRAY VALVE, THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO THE CORN.  THE PILOT STATED HE FELT HE HAD HIT A DUST DEVIL OR SOME BAD AIR.

## Factual narrative

On July 19, 1994, at 0730 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25- 235, N6580Z, registered to Arlie L. Aeschliman of Syracuse, Kansas, and piloted by a commercially certificated pilot, was destroyed during a collision with high standing corn and terrain.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The flight departed from Tribune, Kansas, exact time unknown.

The pilot reported, on his NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he passed over powerlines and settled above the corn crop to begin his first spray run over the field.  He stated that as he was opening the spray valve, the airplane "suddenly settled without responding to any control movement."

A Federal Aviation Administration Principal Operations Inspector (POI) interviewed the pilot.  He said the pilot felt he had hit some bad air or possibly a dust devil as he flew over the powerlines.  The pilot, according to the POI's statement, said the airplane's engine and systems were operating normal just before and during the events leading to the accident.

The pilot said he did not decelerate the airplane using rapid or more than normal elevator back pressure force.  The pilot said the surface temperature just before takeoff was about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  He said the temperature at 400 feet above ground was about 85 degrees Fahrenheit with very light turbulence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6580Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6580Z-2018-03-28), registration cancelled 2018-03-28, S/N 25-2134, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 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: 25-2134
- Airframe hours: 6972
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Arlie L. Aeschliman
- Registered owner: Arlie L. Aeschliman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1994, 82 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 130 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19940719018869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940719018869A), Jul 19, 1994: Piper PA25235, Tribune, KS, Destroyed. Flew into tall corn while turning on spray valve to begin spray run. Flamed dust devil and or downdraft.

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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