# NTSB DEN74FTE17: Piper PA-18, N8438Y, Pritchett, CO, August 8, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 8, 1973
- Place: Pritchett, CO · PRITCHETT, CO
- Location: 37.3700° N, 102.8587° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pritchett, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3700&lon=-102.8587&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN74FTE17
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74FTE17

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2287   73/8/8    PRITCHETT,COLO      PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 44, 4031
        TIME - 0730                    N8438Y              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 489 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          KIM,COLO                    PRITCHETT,COLO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      70
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          GLOVES - USED                                            GOGGLES - NOT USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED                                TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - BELLY
          TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT                                 ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  4500
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND                          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- SPRAYING BUNDLE FEED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8438Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8438Y), registered now, S/N 18-8864, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19730808024369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730808024369A), Aug 8, 1973: Piper PA18S125, Pritchett, CO, Destroyed. Spraying bundle feed.

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.

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