# NTSB DEN83LA199: Piper PA-25B-235, N4473Y, Montrose, SD, August 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1983, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Montrose, SD
- Coordinates: 43.699584, -97.180107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6996&lon=-97.1801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA199

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS SPRAYING A FIELD THAT WAS DIVIDED IN HALF BY A 60 FOOT HIGH POWERLINE. AS HE MADE A TURN TO ENTER THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE FIELD, PARALLEL TO THE POWERLINES, FLYING EAST INTO THE SUN, HE STRUCK THE UNSEEN GUY CABLES OUT IN THE FIELD. HE STRUCK THE CABLES WITH THE LEFT WING TIP WHICH THREW THE PLANE INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE ROLL TO THE LEFT. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND WITH ITS NOSE AND LEFT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4473Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25B-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 254130
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Gregory A. Kohlhof
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 14, 1983
- Departed: MDS, MADISON, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 763 total, 432 in this make and model, 662 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSD, 21 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 19830826044369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830826044369A), Aug 26, 1983: Piper PA25235, Montrose, SD, Destroyed. Ag pilot hit guide cables during aerial application operation. Fire occurred after crash.

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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