# NTSB DEN84FA219: Piper PA-25-235, N6484Z, Peetz, CO, July 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1984, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Peetz, CO
- Coordinates: 40.960544, -103.110969 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9605&lon=-103.1110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA219

## 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
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT HAD COMPLETED SPRAYING AROUND FARM BUILDINGS FOR INSECT CONTROL. ON FIRST PASS IN CROP AREA, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP OVER PWR LINES AT END OF SWATH RUN BUT COLLIDED WITH OVERHEAD GROUND WIRE AT TOP OF MULTI- WIRE ARRAY. ACFT THEN COLLIDED WITH GROUND IN UNCONTROLLED FLIGHT. PLT HAD PERFORMED A GROUND SURVEY OF THE AREA PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6484Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6484Z-1985-04-16), registration cancelled 1985-04-16, S/N 25-2003 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2003
- Airframe hours: 1828
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 137
- Registered owner: Russell M. Benson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1984, 100 hours before
- Departed: PUT, STERLING, CO
- Destination: PEETZ, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 950 total, 650 in this make and model, 810 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 255° at 6 knots, gusting 6
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19840712031829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840712031829A), Jul 12, 1984: Piper PA25235, Peetz, CO, Destroyed. Misjudged aircrafts ability to climb over powerlines at end of spraying run. Struck line, nosed into ground.

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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