# NTSB DEN85LTK02: Piper PA-25-235, N9748P, Yankton, SD, August 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1985, 18:45 local (Aug 24, 1985, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Yankton, SD
- Coordinates: 42.879714, -97.389762 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8797&lon=-97.3898&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): 16786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LTK02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LTK02

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED INTO THE TERRAIN AFTER IT CONTACTED A POWER LINE DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT APPEARED TO PULL UP AT THE WEST END OF THE 40 ACRE FLD, HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CLEAR THE LINES AND IT NOSED OVER INTO ANOTHER FLD. THE INSECTICIDE BEING SPRAYED WAS ETHYO/PARATHION. THE PLT WAS COVERED WITH THE CHEMICAL DURING THE ACCIDENT BUT WAS HOSED OFF WITHIN 5 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9748P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-7556015
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Dave Tunge
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1985, 100 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 11,000 total, 550 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850823040429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850823040429A), Aug 23, 1985: Piper PA25235, Yankton, SD, Substantial damage. Got too close to powerlines while spraying field and snagged line while trying to climb over. Impacted the 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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