# NTSB DEN85LA166: Piper PA-25, N4733Y, Leonard, ND, June 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1985, 20:00 local (Jun 15, 1985, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Leonard, ND
- Coordinates: 46.650413, -97.24044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6504&lon=-97.2404&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): 16706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA166

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL SPRAY OPERATION, THE PLT RETURNED TO A FIELD WITH HIS 2ND CHEMICAL LOAD. AS HE DESCENDED OVER TREES TO BEGIN A SWATH RUN, HE BEGAN A FLARE, BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED DESCENDING & IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR WAS TORN OFF & THE RIGHT LONGERON WAS BENT.

## 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
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, other
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4733Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4733Y-1995-11-21), registration cancelled 1995-11-21, S/N 25176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25) (registry code 7102502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-176
- Airframe hours: 2370
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: James Plath
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1985

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 625 total, 325 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °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 19850614029569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850614029569A), Jun 14, 1985: Piper PA25, Leonard, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft descended over trees for spray run, began roundout flare and impacted 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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