# NTSB DEN04LA086: Eagle DW-1, N8805D, Circleville, UT, June 7, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 2004, 10:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Circleville, UT - Coordinates: 38.97993, -109.130104 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9799&lon=-109.1301&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59411 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59411/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA086 ## Probable cause the encounter with severe turbulence during aerial application and the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. A contributing factor was the low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - aerial application - weather condition - turbulence,terrain induced (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot was applying pesticide to a 100-acre alfalfa field. He said the winds were from the southwest at approximately 7 knots. He had completed the north end of the field while flying in a "racetrack" pattern from west to east. Because of the rising terrain to the east of the field, he decided to complete the pesticide application while flying in both directions. During a "right standard reversal turn," the airplane encountered "extreme turbulence" which caused the airplane to roll to the right. The pilot stated that he added full power and pointed the nose down to regain control. Although the pilot was able to get the wings level, the buffeting and turbulence was so "severe" that the airplane did not respond and continued to "sink rapidly." As the pilot attempted to release the remaining pesticide, the airplane's lower left wing struck the rough and uneven terrain and the airplane cartwheeled. The airplane was destroyed by a postimpact fire. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2004, at 1035 mountain daylight time, an Eagle DW-1, N8805D, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Circleville, Utah. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant on board, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed for the local aerial application flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137. The flight originated at Junction, Utah, at approximately 1015. The pilot stated that he was applying pesticide to a 100-acre alfalfa field. He said that he started on the north end of the field and began working to the south, and completing half of the field while flying in a "racetrack" pattern from west to east. He said the winds were from the southwest at approximately 7 knots. Because of the rising terrain to the east of the field, he decided to complete the pesticide application while flying in both directions. The pilot stated that during a "right standard reversal turn," the airplane encountered "extreme turbulence" which caused the airplane to roll to the right. The pilot stated that he added full power and pointed the nose down to regain control. Although the pilot was able to get the wings level, the buffeting and turbulence was so "severe," that the airplane did not respond and continued to "sink rapidly." As the pilot attempted to release the remaining pesticide, the airplane's lower left wing struck the rough and uneven terrain and the airplane cartwheeled. The airplane was destroyed by a postimpact fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8805D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8805D-2005-02-11), registration cancelled 2005-02-11, S/N DW-1-0034-81, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eagle DW-1 - Registry model: [Eagle EAGLE DW-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/eagle-eagle-dw-1) (registry code 3230203) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: DW-1-0034-81 - Airframe hours: 2713 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-M1B5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Michael R. Thornton - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2004, 90 hours before - Departed: U13, Junction, UT - Destination: U13 - Airport: U13, Junction ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 8, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 2,454 total, 616 in this make and model, 2,364 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 16 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KBCE, 33 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 20040607010259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040607010259A), Jun 7, 2004: Eagle DW1, Circleville, UT, Destroyed. (-23) Stalled aircraft on hot day and impacted ground-post crash fire destroyed aircraft. ## Other investigations on N8805D (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 LAX93LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA114), Feb 11, 1993: Eagle DW-1 (N8805D), Rachael, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION. THE ROAD SIGN WAS A FACTOR RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT. 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.