# NTSB CHI99LA233: Piper PA-25-235, N4590Y, Mcville, ND, July 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1999, 20:25 local (Jul 13, 1999, 01:25 UTC) - Place: Mcville, ND - Coordinates: 47.759136, -98.169395 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7591&lon=-98.1694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46889 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46889/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA233 ## Probable cause the pilot not attaining a proper climb rate. Factors were the stall/mush and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis On the pilot's third takeoff of the day, the airplane departed the same as the two previous flights. The airplane was downwind of some grain elevators. The airplane had started to lose lift and altitude. He dumped the airplane's chemical load and he said he still would not have enough time to recover because of obstructions. He said that there was a ditch in his flight path and that he decided to put the airplane down there without hurting anyone on the ground. The pilot stated the wings, landing gear, engine, hopper, and fuel tank were damaged in the 'crash'. The wreckage was inspected and no preimpact anomalies were found. The Devils Lake Municipal Airport weather at 2035 was: Wind 110 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 26 degrees C; dew point 17 degrees C; altimeter 29.83 inches of mercury. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1999, at 2025 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N4590Y, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain after take off from runway 13 (2,230 feet X 100 feet/dry turf) at McVille Municipal Airport, near McVille, North Dakota. The pilot reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The airplane was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot stated that he had completed two previous flights earlier in the day. He said that on the accident flight he had about 15 gallons of fuel and 110 to 120 gallons of chemical spray on board. He stated that the airplane departed and lifted off at the same point as the two previous flights. He said that on climb out he made a shallow bank to the right. He said that the airplane was downwind of some grain elevators. The pilot said that the airplane had started to lose lift and altitude. He dumped the airplane's chemical load. After dumping the load, he said that he still would not have enough time to recover because of the grain elevators coming up in front of him and the oil company to the south. He said that there was a ditch in his flight path and that he decided to put the airplane down there without hurting anyone on the ground. The plane came to rest approximately 100 feet from its impact point. The pilot stated that the wings, landing gear, engine, hopper, and fuel tank were damaged in the "crash". The pilot stated that there were no mechanical or engine problems prior to the accident flight. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed an on-scene inspection of the wreckage. The inspection revealed no preimpact anomalies. At 2035, the Devils Lake Municipal Airport weather observation was: Wind 110 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 26 degrees C; dew point 17 degrees C; altimeter 29.83 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4590Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4590Y-2000-01-04), registration cancelled 2000-01-04, S/N 25-4271 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-4271 - Airframe hours: 4594 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Mike D. Schindele - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1999, 106 hours before - Departed: ND36, ND - Airport: 8M6, Mcville Municipal Airport, runway 13, 2,230 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,141 total, 685 in this make and model, 1,054 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DVL, 41 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 19990712045759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990712045759A), Jul 12, 1999: Piper PA25235, Mcville, ND, No damage. (-23)Piper PA-25-235 operating under CFR part 137 was damaged when the aircraft impacted the gruond after takeoff for an aerial application flight. A witness… ## Other investigations on N4590Y (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 FTW74DRJ32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DRJ32), Apr 26, 1974: Piper PA-25 (N4590Y), Winnfield, LA, substantial damage 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.