# NTSB DEN84LA280: Piper PA-25-235, N7236Z, Canton, SD, September 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1984, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Canton, SD
- Coordinates: 43.299152, -96.58097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2992&lon=-96.5810&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): 16478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA280

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A DESCENDING APCH TO AN UNFAMILIAR CORNFIELD FOR A SWATH RUN, THE PLT STATED HE HAD 'A FLASHING VISION OF WIRES.' THE PLT PUSHED THE CONTROL STICK FORWARD TO AVOID HITTING THE WIRES AT WHICH TIME THE ACFT CONTACTED A CORN CROP IN A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ACFT THEN TURNED 90 DEG TO THE RIGHT, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE ACFT STOPPED INADVERTENTLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7236Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7236Z-1985-06-11), registration cancelled 1985-06-11, S/N 25-3159 (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: 25-3159
- Airframe hours: 3802
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A105 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Tri State Ag Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1984
- Departed: CANTON, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,520 total, 529 in this make and model, 733 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840915049049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840915049049A), Sep 15, 1984: Piper PA25235, Canton, SD, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to duck under powerline at the last minute and aircraft contacted corn which dragged it to ground.

## Other investigations on N7236Z (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 SEA68F0327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68F0327), Jun 1, 1968: Piper PA-25 (N7236Z), Tabor, ID, 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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