# NTSB CHI96LA224: Piper PA-36-375, N2459X, Windfall, IN, June 28, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 1996, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Windfall, IN - Coordinates: 40.359363, -85.950859 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3594&lon=-85.9509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10295 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10295/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA224 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering to avoid an obstruction (transmission line), which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. His lack of familiarity with the geographic area was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane was en route to disperse chemicals on a farm field, when it was observed to pitch up, turn left and impact the terrain. The airplane impacted the terrain about 100 yards short of where a 50 foot transmission line crossed its path. The pilot did not have aeronautical charts with him and was using plat maps to locate the farm. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 1996, at 1240 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-36-375, N2459X, was destroyed by ground impact and post crash fire following a collision with the terrain, near Windfall, Indiana. The accident occurred while the airplane was en route to a farm field to disperse chemicals when the accident occurred. The pilot suffered fatal injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Greentown, Indiana, about 1220. The manager of the fertilizer company the pilot was working for, said the pilot did not have aeronautical charts of the area. Prior to the flight he borrowed plat maps of the area, in order to locate the farm. An eyewitness told investigators that he heard the airplane approaching, heading in a direction which would have taken him to the field to be sprayed. He said he saw the airplane pull up abruptly, followed by a sharp left turn to a nose down attitude. He then lost sight of the airplane behind a house. An on-scene investigation revealed that about 100 yards from the accident site was a high tension power line running across the flight patch of the accident airplane. The power lines were visible from the accident site. The wires were about 50 feet above the ground. An examination of the airplane failed to reveal any anomalies other than those attributed to the impact and fire. A post mortem examination of the pilot was conducted on July 1, 1996, at the Indiana University School of Medicine. No preexisting pathology was found during the autopsy. A toxicological examination of specimens from the pilot were conducted and were negative for the drugs screened. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2459X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2459X-1997-03-18), registration cancelled 1997-03-18, S/N 368302007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-36-375 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-8302007 - Airframe hours: 1613 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720-D1CD 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Robert W. Bryant - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1996, 20 hours before - Departed: 5I8, GREENTOWN, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,800 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19960628015459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960628015459A), Jun 28, 1996: Piper PA36375, Windfall, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On spraying a field with full load, pulled full power, abrupt pullup, sharp left turn to vertical, crash and burned (-23)on 06/28/96, at 1740 UTC, Mr. Robert… 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.