# NTSB DEN08CA084: Piper PA-25-235, N6944Z, Mountain Grove, MO, May 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2008, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Mountain Grove, MO - Coordinates: 37.120555, -92.311111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1206&lon=-92.3111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 67934 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67934/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA084 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power line. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing aerial application of liquid fertilizer onto a hay meadow. During the third pass, which was south of the previous two passes, the airplane contacted an unmarked power line that the pilot did not observe until "I was on it." The airplane then struck two trees and cart wheeled into terrain. ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing aerial application of liquid fertilizer onto a hay meadow. During the third pass, which was south of the previous two passes, the airplane contacted an unmarked power line that the pilot did not observe until "I was on it." The airplane then struck two trees and cart wheeled into terrain. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Examination of the airplane showed the wings were bent, fuselage was twisted and buckled, and the engine firewall was buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6944Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6944Z-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 25-2689, built 1964 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-2689 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Darter, Lloyd R - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 1MO, Mountain Grove, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 11,521 total, 2,721 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080505835569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080505835569A), May 5, 2008: Piper PA25235, Mountain Grove, MO, Destroyed. (-23) According to the PIC, and supplemented by a MO state highway patrol incident report [privacy data omitted] had already completed two spray passes in a… ## Other investigations on N6944Z (3) 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 MKC79FCG41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FCG41), Apr 29, 1979: Piper PA-25 (N6944Z), Camdenton, MO, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW66F0139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0139), Jul 17, 1965: Piper PA-25 (N6944Z), Van Horn, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X2589](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2589), Jul 1, 1964: Piper DA25 (N6944Z), Neligh, NE, 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.