# NTSB DEN86FTG01: Piper PA25-235, N6535Z, Stanley, ND, June 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1986, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Stanley, ND
- Coordinates: 48.309192, -102.380187 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3092&lon=-102.3802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FTG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FTG01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE ACFT WENT OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AFTER WHICH IT ERUPTED IN FLAMES. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 87 DEGREES WITH LIGHT WIND. THE DENSITY ALT WAS COMPUTED TO BE 5000 FT. THE PLT HAD STATED TO THE OPERATOR THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS TOO HOT TO SPRAY. THE BOSS ASKED HIM TO TRY ANYWAY. SOME OTHER PLTS HAD TROUBLE CLIMBING OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AND REPORTEDLY TRIED TO RADIO A WARNING. THE ACC PLT DURING TAKEOFF TRIED TO JETTISON HIS LOAD BUT THE ACFT FAILED TO CLEAR A DITCH OFF THE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT HAD FILLED HIS FUEL TANKS TO THE FULL MARK BUT THE CHEMICAL HOPPER WAS ONLY ABOUT 2/3 FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6535Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2074
- Airframe hours: 5028
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ervin Larson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1986, 100 hours before
- Departed: 08D, STANLEY, ND
- Destination: STANLEY, ND
- Airport: Stanley, runway 9, 3,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,200 total, 500 in this make and model, 108 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOT, 45 nm away

## 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 19860618029309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860618029309A), Jun 18, 1986: Piper PA25235, Stanley, ND, Destroyed. Unable to climb after liftoff. Settled off end of runway and struck an embankment. Density altitude a factor.

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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