- Date
- July 2, 1983, 13:36 local (19:36 UTC)
- Place
- Wheatland, WY
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N6850ZPiper PA-18-150
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19830702027819A
- Case key
- 15995
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During an aerial application maneuver, the acft collided with the ground. An exam of the wreckage indicated that it impacted in a steep nose down attitude while rotating to the left. The flaps were found extended 25 deg & the airspeed gage was found indicating 55 KTS. The t-handle for dumping the chemical load was found in the stowed position & had not been activated. The fuel selector was positioned to the right fuel tank & both fuel tanks were found with fuel remaining. Flt control continuity was established & the throttle was found in the full forward position. Neither the plt nor the owner possessed a certificate to conduct aerial applications. Also, there was no record that the plt had obtained knowledge & skill test, required by 14 CFR 137. The plt had been issued a 2nd class medical certificate on 10/23/79 with a limitation to wear corrective lenses. However, no glasses or contact lenses were found. The density alt was approx 7200 ft. reportedly, the winds were strong & gusty.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6850Z
- Reported as
- Piper PA-18-150
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18-81-33
- Airframe hours
- 2,332
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-A2B, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Ashen Hurst Hal L.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 3, 1983 · 22 hours before
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 39
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Expired
- Seat
- Front
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 597 total · 72 in this make and model · 447 as pilot in command · 19 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 240° at 11 knots
- Visibility
- 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at
- CYS, 45 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.