# NTSB DEN84LA258: Piper PA-25-150, N6431Z, New Rockford, ND, August 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1984, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: New Rockford, ND
- Coordinates: 47.680629, -99.129905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6806&lon=-99.1299&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): 16461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA258

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command

## Analysis

PLT STATED, 'ON SPRAY RUN. GOT TO CLOSE TO SUNFLOWERS. WHEN I STARTED HITTING THEM ON THE LANDING GEAR THE PLANE SLOWED DOWN AND DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH SPEED OR POWER TO GET OUT SO THE PLANE LANDED IN THE SUNFLOWER FIELD IN ABOUT 50 YARDS.' SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE RESULTED TO THE LANDING GEAR, WINGS, PROP, AND FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6431Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-584
- Airframe hours: 3425
- Engines: LYCOMING O-230-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Rodney J. Settelmeyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 28, 1984
- Departed: NEW ROCKFORD, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 446 total, 109 in this make and model, 376 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JMS, 73 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 19840813040239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840813040239A), Aug 13, 1984: Piper PA25150, New Rockford, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft wheels contacted vegetation causing it to be dragged into ground during aerial application flight.

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.