# NTSB DEN86FA022: Piper PA-25-235B, N7313Z, Holly, CO, November 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1985, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Holly, CO
- Coordinates: 38.049247, -102.119628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0492&lon=-102.1196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16792/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA022

## 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
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S BROTHER, HE WAS ON A FLT TO CALIBRATE THE ACFT'S SPRAYING EQUIPMENT & TO MAKE A FEW PRACTICE CROP SPRAYING RUNS. WHILE FLYING AT APRX 30 FT AGL, THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES, THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. TOXICOLOGY TESTS SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.117% & A URINE/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.274%. A TRACE OF CANNABINOID METABOLITES WAS DETECTED IN THE PLT'S URINE, BUT NONE WAS FND IN HIS BLOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7313Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7313Z), registered now, S/N 25-3245, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235B
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-B4B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-b4b5) (registry code 42340, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-3245
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 137
- Registered owner: Allen H. Tinnes
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1985
- Departed: KO8, HOLLY, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19851113056879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851113056879A), Nov 13, 1985: Piper PA25235, Holly, CO, Destroyed. Struck powerlines, fell to ground and burned during simulated spraying run. No mechanical malfunction found.

## Other investigations on N7313Z (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 ERA12LA474](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA474), Jul 23, 2012: Piper PA-25-235 (N7313Z), Westerly, RI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to the postaccident salt water-damaged state of the engine.

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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