# NTSB CHI94LA272: Piper PA-25, N6568Z, Spiritwood, ND, August 3, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 1994, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Spiritwood, ND - Coordinates: 46.930541, -98.500221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9305&lon=-98.5002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9631 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9631/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA272 ## Probable cause the failure of the fuselage tubing in the empennage. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown - fuselage - failure,partial (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis Upon landing on the private airstrip, the airplane started to shudder and veered to the left. The pilot tried to regain directional control by applying the right brake and increasing power, but the pilot states these actions only accelerated the turn. The airplane ground looped and came to rest on the left side of the runway. A postaccident investigation revealed eight inches of the vertical fuselage tubing and the aft diagonal tubing in the empennage near the tailwheel assembly were broken in several locations. Rust was observed on the inside of the tubing wall near the breaks. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 1994, at 1530 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25 agricultural airplane, N6568Z, was substantially damaged when the pilot lost directional control during the landing roll at a private airstrip in Spiritwood, North Dakota. The pilot, who was not injured, had just returned from an aerial survey of a field. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan. In a written statement, the pilot reported the airplane started to shudder and veered to the left upon landing on the private airstrip. He tried to regain directional control by applying the right brake and increasing power, but he states these actions only accelerated the turn. The airplane ground looped and came to rest on the left side of the runway. A postaccident investigation revealed eight inches of the vertical fuselage tube and the aft diagonal tube in the empennage near the tailwheel assembly were broken in several locations. Rust was observed on the inside of the tubing wall near the breaks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6568Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6568Z-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 25-2116, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25 - 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: 25-2116 - Airframe hours: 5680 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Ag Air, Inc. - Registered owner: Ag Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Special, Provisional (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1994, 39 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE, ND - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 36, 2,640 × 65 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 345° at 2 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19940803047919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940803047919A), Aug 3, 1994: Piper PA25235, Spirtwood, ND, Substantial damage. Vibration shudder and control loss landing. Ground looped. Empannage corroded and rusty. Tailwheel bracing broke. ## Other investigations on N6568Z (2) 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 MKC69D0034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69D0034-201087), May 29, 1968: Piper PA-25 (N6568Z), Platte, SD, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN67D0061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN67D0061), Jun 15, 1966: Piper PA-25 (N6568Z), Montrose, CO, substantial damage 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.