- Date
- June 3, 1995, 13:53 local (18:53 UTC)
- Place
- Dawson, MN
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N4428PPiper PA-25-235
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 13, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950603018979A
- Case key
- 9904
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane on takeoff. A factor in the accident was the tall grass.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported he landed the airplane on the grass adjacent to the runway due to the poor condition of the runway. After picking up a load of chemical, the pilot prepared to takeoff on the grass. While on the initial ground run, the airplane's right spray boom encountered tall grass. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane. The right wing and propeller contacted the ground and the landing gear was damaged. This airport has been closed for several years prior to this accident.
Factual narrative
On June 3, 1995, at 1353 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25- 235, N4428P, was substantially damaged while attempting to take off from a private field in Dawson, Minnesota. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was en route to Madison, Minnesota. The aerial application flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.
The pilot reported he landed the airplane at Dawson Airport on the grass adjacent to the runway because of the runway's poor condition. After picking up some chemicals, the pilot stated he proceeded to takeoff on the grass. While the airplane was on its initial ground run, the right spray boom encountered tall grass and the pilot lost directional control of the airplane. The right wing and propeller contacted the ground and the landing gear was damaged.
The Dawson Airport had been closed for several years prior to this accident. There had been no upkeep done to the airport since its closure.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4428P
- Reported as
- Piper PA-25-235
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 25-2719
- Airframe hours
- 4,407
- Engine
- Lycoming O-540-B2B5, 235 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Dennis Zimmer DBA
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 20, 1995 · 20 hours before
- Departed
- NONE
- Destination
- DXX · Madison, MN
- Airport
- NONE · Dawson Airport
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 33
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 928 total · 600 in this make and model · 854 as pilot in command · 30 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days · 8 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 145° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 73 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.