# NTSB CHI95LA245: Piper PA-25-235, N7797Z, Oklee, MN, July 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1995, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Oklee, MN
- Coordinates: 47.829475, -95.849845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8295&lon=-95.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA245

## Probable cause

the pilot failed to maintain clearance with trees.  Factors associated with the accident were the trees and the pilot's diverted attention.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS SPRAYING A FIELD AND WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC FLAGGER.  HE HAD COMPLETED A PASS AND PULLED UP WHEN HE NOTICED SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THE FLAGGER.  HE REPORTED HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED FROM FLYING AND HE FAILED TO CLEAR TREES. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE TOPS OF THE TREES.  CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WAS LOST AND IT IMPACTED IN A FIELD. THE AIRPLANE CAUGHT FIRE SHORTLY AFTER IMPACT AND BURNED.

## Factual narrative

On July 28, 1995, at 0800 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 25-235, was destroyed by fire after it impacted with trees and subsequently hit the ground.  The commercial pilot reported no injury.  The 14 CFR Part 137 flight departed a private airstrip near Oklee, Minnesota, on a local flight.  Visual meteorlogical conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he was spraying a field and was having a problem with the automatic flagger.  He had completed a pass and had pulled up when he noticed something different about the flagger.  He reported his attention was diverted from flying and   he failed to clear some trees.  He clipped the tops of the trees, lost control of the airplane and impacted in a field.  The airplane caught fire shortly after impact and burned.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7797Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7797Z), registered now, S/N 25-3999 (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: 25-3999
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ronn N. Syverson, doing business as Aerial Applicator
- Registered owner: No Co Ag Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1995
- Departed: FOSSTON, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,400 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 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 19950728021139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950728021139A), Jul 28, 1995: Piper PA25235, Oklee, MN, Destroyed. Struck trees distracted by flagger. Crashed. Burned. (-23) pilot was spraying field and was having problems with automatic flagger. Attention was diverted and…

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.