# NTSB DEN83LA155: Piper PA-25-235, N7121Z, Brandt, SD, July 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1983, 19:30 local (Jul 1, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Brandt, SD
- Coordinates: 44.659431, -96.619125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6594&lon=-96.6191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA155

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED IN A FORCED LANDING AFTER ITS ENG LOST POWER DURING PULL-UP FROM THE LAST (CLEANUP) SWATH RUN. APRX25 MIN BEFORE THE ACDNT FLT, THE PLT LANDED TO RELOAD WITH CHEMICALS. THE OWNER STATED THAT WHEN THE PLT WAS ASKED IF HEWANTED FUEL, HE SAID 'NO' BECAUSE HE HAD 10 TO 12 GAL WHICH HE CONSIDERED TO BE ENOUGH TO FINISH THE SPRAYING OPERATION FOR THE DAY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE MADE SVRL LANDINGS DURING THE DAY TO REFILL THE HOPPER. THEN WHEN HE WOULD TAKEOFF, THE ENG PROVIDED FULL POWER (2775 RPM); HOWEVER AFTER MAKING SVRL SWATH RUNS, HE NOTED THAT THE ENG WOULD ONLY PROVIDE 2500 RPM DURING PULL-UPS. DURING PULL-UP ON THE LAST CLEANUP RUN, THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND WHEN FULL THROTTLE WAS APPLIED. POWER WAS NOT RESTORED & THE ACFT STALLED & FELL TO THE GROUND. APRX 31 MI NE AT WATERTOWN, SD, THE TEMP & DEW POINT AT 1951 CDT WERE 77 & 64 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7121Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7121Z), registered now, S/N 25-2920 (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: 25-2920
- Airframe hours: 4043
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B235 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Gerald Kasuske
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1983, 25 hours before
- Departed: SD11, CLEAR LAKE, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,014 total, 237 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19830630028189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830630028189A), Jun 30, 1983: Piper PA25235, Brandt, SD, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit while conducting aerial application flight.

## Other investigations on N7121Z (2)

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 DEN86FTK04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FTK04), Aug 7, 1986: Piper PA-25-235 (N7121Z), Clear Lake, SD, destroyed
- [NTSB MKC78DCJ40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCJ40), Aug 14, 1978: Piper PA-25 (N7121Z), Arnold, 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.