# NTSB DEN84LA236: Piper PA-25-235, N6749Z, Webster, ND, July 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1984, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Webster, ND
- Coordinates: 48.320869, -98.779022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3209&lon=-98.7790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuel system,tank - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - water (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT STATED THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER DURING AN AG FLT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A WHEAT FIELD DURING WHICH THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT WAS FUELED FROM AN UNFILTERED 5 GALLON CAN WHICH HAD SAT UNCOVERED IN THE RAIN.AFTER THE ACCIDENT A MECHANIC STATED HE DRAINED '1/2 A POP CAN OF WATER' FROM THE FUEL SUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6749Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6749Z), registered now, S/N 25-2368, built 1963 (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: 25-2368
- Airframe hours: 3400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Tom Wakefield
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1983, 140 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,550 total, 950 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840724034699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840724034699A), Jul 24, 1984: Piper PA25235, Webster, ND, Substantial damage. Engine quit during a spray run. Aircraft damaged on forced landing. Water in fuel obtained from a 5 gallon can.

## Other investigations on N6749Z (1)

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 DEN87LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA114), Apr 28, 1987: Piper PA-25 (N6749Z), Valley City, ND, 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.

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