# NTSB DEN85LA137: Piper PA-36, N2382Y, Claire City, SD, May 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1985, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Claire City, SD
- Coordinates: 45.850543, -97.099685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8505&lon=-97.0997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA137

## 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
  - object - wire,transmission
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT. THE POWER LINES WERE LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD BEING SPRAYED AND DURING THE LAST SPRAY RUN, WHILE FLYING INTO THE SUN, THE ACFT CONTACTED THE LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2382Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2382Y-1994-06-09), registration cancelled 1994-06-09, S/N 368102006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 367102006
- Airframe hours: 921
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-D1CD 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: J.F. Forrette
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 1984, 88 hours before
- Departed: SISSETON, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,200 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19850521022839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850521022839A), May 21, 1985: Piper PA36375, Claire City, SD, Destroyed. Struck powerlines on last pass over field. Pilot was flying into sun.

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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