# NTSB CHI98LA219: Piper PA-36-300, N3760E, Mobridge, SD, June 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 1998, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Mobridge, SD - Coordinates: 45.539817, -100.429222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5398&lon=-100.4292&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 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10933/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA219 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. Factors associated with the accident were the power lines, and the separation of the vertical stabilizer and rudder which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane. ## 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 - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - vertical stabilizer - separation (contributing factor) - flight control,rudder - separation (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot was spraying a field of wheat and was working under non-active power lines going to an abandoned farmstead. During one of the passes the airplane hit one of the wires separating the vertical stabilizer and rudder from the aircraft. The pilot stated that the directional control was lost, but the aircraft continued to fly, wings level, in a skidding turn to the right. Due to an approaching tree line the pilot reduced the engine power and the aircraft impacted level terrain with the wings level. The pilot stated that the aircraft slid to the left, folding the left main gear under the wing. ## Factual narrative On June 25, 1998, at 1345 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-300, N3760E, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a power line, loss control and impacted the terrain near Mobridge, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and the flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was being operated by Mott Aerial Spray, Mobridge, South Dakota. The flight originated at the Mobridge Municipal Airport, near Mobridge, South Dakota, at 1315. According to the pilot's written statement, he was spraying a field of wheat and was working under non-active power lines going to an abandoned farmstead. During one of the passes under the power lines the airplane hit one of the wires separating the vertical stabilizer from the aircraft along with the rudder. The pilot stated that the directional control was lost, but the aircraft continued to fly, wings level, in a skidding turn to the right. Due to an approaching tree line the pilot reduced the engine power and the aircraft impacted level terrain with the wings level. The pilot stated that the aircraft slid to the left, folding the left main gear under the wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3760E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3760E), registered now, S/N 36-7960064, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-36-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-300) (registry code 7103612) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36--790064 - Airframe hours: 3457 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Robert A. Mott - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1997, 248 hours before - Departed: MBG, MOBRIDGE, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 14,120 total, 3,629 in this make and model, 13,868 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MBG, 360 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 19980625015029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980625015029A), Jun 25, 1998: Piper PA36300, Mobridge, SD, Substantial damage. Acft struck a power line during aerial app and destroyed the rudder and vertical stablizer. (.4)the pilot was spraying a field of wheat and was working under… 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.