# NTSB CHI96LA245: Piper PA-25-235, N4997Y, Beltrami, MN, July 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1996, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Beltrami, MN - Coordinates: 47.53968, -96.519302 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5397&lon=-96.5193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10315 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10315/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA245 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors in the accident were the pilot's failure to jettison the load and the soft runway overrun area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - airport facilities,runway overrun area - soft ## Analysis After completing an successful runup on a private airstrip, the airplane began its takeoff roll with 108 gallons of chemical product in its hopper. At approximately halfway down the turf runway, the airplane lifted off. The airplane began to settle back towards the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff and ran off the runway where the airplane encountered soft terrain and nosed over. The pilot stated that the density altitude was 2,700 feet with high humidity. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1996, at 1730 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper Pawnee, PA-25-235, N4997Y, registered to Pawnette, Inc., of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during the takeoff roll from a private turf airstrip located two miles northwest of Beltrami, Minnesota. The pilot reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight originated from Beltrami, Minnesota, at 1730 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement, he loaded the airplane's hopper with 108 gallons of chemical product and conducted an engine runup at the end of the runway. The pilot advanced the throttle and proceeded to takeoff. Approximately half way down the turf airstrip, the airplane lifted off. The airplane began to settle back toward the runway as it neared the end. The pilot reduced the throttle and held aft stick to keep the tailwheel on the ground while he applied the brakes. The airplane skidded beyond the end of the runway, contacted soft terrain and nosed over. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Principal Airworthiness Inspector represented the NTSB during the on-scene investigation. The Inspector interviewed the pilot and restated that the engine was developing full power. The inspector asked about the density altitude and the pilot said it was 2,700 feet with high humidity. The pilot also did not consider dumping the load because things were happening too fast and he thought the airplane was going to ground loop since it started to turn to the right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4997Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4997Y-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 25-4816, built 1968 (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: 25-4816 - Airframe hours: 3541 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Minto Flying Service, Inc., doing business as Knox Flying Service - Registered owner: Pawnette, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1996, 27 hours before - Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 18, 1,800 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 266 total, 16 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CKN, 10 nm away ## 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 19960717027659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960717027659A), Jul 17, 1996: Piper PA25235, Crookston, MN, Substantial damage. Settled back to runway on takeoff. Aborted too late ran off end runway. (-23) pilot attempted take-off, aircraft became airborne, then settled back to ground.… ## Other investigations on N4997Y (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 MKC80DCJ39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80DCJ39), Sep 4, 1980: Piper PA-25 (N4997Y), Weeping Water, NE, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC72DCJ71](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72DCJ71), Jun 2, 1972: Piper PA-25 (N4997Y), Crawford, NE, destroyed 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.