# NTSB CHI97LA259: Piper PA-25-235, N8622L, Bradshaw, NE, August 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1997, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Bradshaw, NE - Coordinates: 40.939804, -97.760681 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9398&lon=-97.7607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10671 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA259 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10671/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA259 ## Probable cause the pilot not maintaining clearance from the terrain. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's diverted attention due to the problems with his global positioning flagger equipment and the other ag- airplane, and the crop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis In his written statement, the pilot said that while en route to the fields to be sprayed, he was distracted by problems with the on board 'global positioning flagger' equipment. 'I called the base to get assistance on getting the light bar to work. After circling the field several times, I discovered that I had inadvertently turned the light bar off and I switched it back on.' The pilot circled around to re-enter the field on which he made his first aerial application pass. He reported that upon completing his second pass he observed another ag-plane entering the area. The pilot reported that because of the distraction, and the downwind turn, he was '...wide off my mark.' The pilot maneuvered the airplane to line up on the field. 'As I entered the field, I realized that I was having a problem with lift. But before I was able to increase throttle or dump the load, the plane was starting to sink in the corn.' The airplane then impacted into the field and came to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1997, at 0945 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-25-235, N8622L, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when while maneuvering for aerial application of chemicals, the airplane's main landing gear became entangled in the top of a standing corn crop. The airplane subsequently impacted the terrain 3 miles southwest of Bradshaw, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated at Sutton, Nebraska, at 0915 cdt. In his written statement, the pilot said that while en route to the fields to be sprayed, he was distracted by problems with the on board "global positioning flagger" equipment. "I called the base to get assistance on getting the light bar to work. After circling the field several times, I discovered that I had inadvertently turned the light bar off and I switched it back on." The pilot circled around to re-enter the field on which he made his first aerial application pass. As I finished my second pass, I observed another ag-plane entering the area and using his smoker to check wind direction. I think because of the distraction, and the downwind turn, I found that I was wide off my mark." The pilot maneuvered the airplane to line up on the field. "As I entered the field, I realized that I was having a problem with lift. But before I was able to increase throttle or dump the load, the plane was starting to sink in the corn." The airplane then impacted into the field and came to a stop. The airplane was examined at the site by an airframe and powerplant mechanic. The airplane was resting upright in a cornfield at a 25-degree nose down attitude. The forward fuselage was crushed upward. The cowling was bent outward and down. The engine, engine mounts and firewall were bent up and aft. The propeller exhibited torsional bending and chordwise scratches. The engine crankshaft was broken. The airplane's cabin remained intact. The right side window was broken out. Both wings showed heavy dents, bends and fractures along the leading edges. The fabric on the upper surfaces of both wings showed tears running from the leading edges aft. The aft fuselage, empennage and tail wheel showed no damage. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems showed no pre-impact anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8622L (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-5052 - Airframe hours: 4082 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: James A. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1997 - Departed: NE86, SUTTON, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,050 total, 735 in this make and model, 1,020 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AUH, 22 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 19970816022699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970816022699A), Aug 16, 1997: Piper PA25235, Bradshaw, NE, Substantial damage. Aircraft was involved in aerial application when it came in too close to the field and crashed. (.4) in his written statement, the pilot said that while en… 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.