# NTSB CHI98LA216: Piper PA-36-375, N82585, Stephen, MN, June 23, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1998, 12:09 local (17:09 UTC)
- Place: Stephen, MN
- Coordinates: 48.449371, -96.870857 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4494&lon=-96.8709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA216

## Probable cause

the visual lookout not being maintained by the pilot.  A factor to the accident was the transmission wire.

## 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
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was finishing his last spray run when he struck an unmarked power line passing between a farmyard and a tree line near the Red River.  Post accident investigation showed that the aircraft's right wing impacted the upper wire of the two wire system.  No engine or aircraft anomalies were found with the aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On June 23, 1998, at 1209 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-375, N82585, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain, after a loss of control resulting from an in flight collision with a power line, near Stephen, Minnesota.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and the flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was being operated by Jack's Aerial Spray Service, Drayton, North Dakota.  The flight originated at the Drayton Municipal Airport, near Drayton, North Dakota at 1125.

According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot stated that he was finishing his last spray run when he struck an unmarked power line passing between a farmyard and a tree line near the Red River.  Post accident investigation showed that the aircraft's right wing impacted the upper wire of the two wire system.  No engine or aircraft anomalies were found with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82585](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82585-1999-02-01), registration cancelled 1999-02-01, S/N 36-8302014 (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: 2302014
- Airframe hours: 2355
- Engines: Lycoming IO-720 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Kl Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1998, 116 hours before
- Departed: D29, DRAYTON, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,300 total, 3,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFK, 30 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 19980623014819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980623014819A), Jun 23, 1998: Piper PA36375, Stephen, MN, Substantial damage. Struck powre line during procedure turn. Crashed. Suspect failed to survey field prior application flight.y (.4) the pilot stated that he was finishing his…

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.

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