# NTSB DEN82DA144: Piper PA-25-235, N4461Y, Leonard, ND, July 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1982, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Leonard, ND
- Location: 46.6523° N, 97.2499° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Leonard, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 45.440235, -110.19963 (estimated), outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6523&lon=-97.2499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA144

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE LOST POWER AS HE PULLED UP FROM THE FINAL SPRAY RUN. THE AIRCRAFT WING CONTACTED A TREE AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A BARLEY FIELD. POST FLIGHT EXAM SHOWED NO REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4461Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4461Y), registered now, S/N 25-4111, built 1966 (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: 254111
- Airframe hours: 4626
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Randy Rottenberger
- Registered owner: Randy Rottenberger
- Departed: GWR, GWINNER, ND
- Destination: LEONARD, ND
- Airport: 90Y, Leonard Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,478 total, 494 in this make and model, 2,323 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 20 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 19820726031489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820726031489A), Jul 26, 1982: Piper PA25235, Leonard, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during attempted emergency landing during spraying operation.

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.