# NTSB CHI99LA229: Piper PA-25-235, N7329Z, Lefor, ND, July 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1999, 07:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Lefor, ND - Coordinates: 46.680461, -102.550979 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6805&lon=-102.5510&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46777 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46777/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA229 ## Probable cause the altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane impacted terrain during an aerial application. The pilot reported the following in a written statement. 'Field to be sprayed had large hill on one end which effected my turning ability. Had problems maneuvering due to terrain. Dumped load. Aircraft still could not clear terrain...' Flight control continuity was established and fuel aboard the aircraft was noted. There was a series of slash marks in the field. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1999, at 0750 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7329Z, operated by Olson Aerial Applications Incorporated, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated from the Dickinson Municipal Airport (DIK), Dickinson, North Dakota, at 0730. The pilot reported the following in a written statement. "Departed DIK at 0730. Aircraft full of fuel 100 gallons spray chemical. Field to be sprayed had large hill on one end which effected my turning ability. Had problems maneuvering due to terrain. Dumped load. Aircraft still could not clear terrain. Ended up with gear damage and propeller." Flight control continuity was established and fuel aboard the aircraft was noted by the Federal Aviation Administration. There was a series of slash marks in the field. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7329Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7329Z-2019-02-26), registration cancelled 2019-02-26, S/N 25-3279, built 1965 (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: 25-3279 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 137 - Registered owner: Olson Aerial Applications Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: DIK, DIKINSON, ND - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,350 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 2,280 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DIK, 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 19990712008869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990712008869A), Jul 12, 1999: Piper PA25235, Lefor, ND, Substantial damage. Acft crashed during aerial application and sustained substantial damage. (-23) on 07/12/99 at 07:50 MDT, PA-25, N7329Z, owned by olson aerial application, inc.… ## Other investigations on N7329Z (1) 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 ERA13CA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA164), Mar 13, 2013: Piper PA-25-235 (N7329Z), Groveland, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during a tailwind approach, his improper decision to continue a fast approach with a tailwind rather than go around, and his improper use of the… 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.