# NTSB DEN86LA157: Piper PA-25, N6190Z, Williston, ND, June 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1986, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Williston, ND
- Coordinates: 48.159091, -103.630096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1591&lon=-103.6301&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): 16978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA157

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT HE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA ON THIS FLT. HE ALSO STATED, 'I WAS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE PWR LINES AND ROAD AND DID NOT REALIZE THE HILL OUT FRONT WAS AS HIGH AS IT WAS...I ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK OUT, BUT WITH DOWNWIND IT BLEW ME INTO HILLSIDE.' THE WIND WAS REPORTED BY THE PLT TO BE BLOWING AT 10 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6190Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-224
- Airframe hours: 2990
- Engines: LYCOMING 150 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: John O. Winden, doing business as Windon Crop Spray
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 21, 1986
- Departed: ISN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,600 total, 1,060 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ISN

## 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 19860607022129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860607022129A), Jun 7, 1986: Piper PA25, Williston, ND, Destroyed. Pilot failed to monitor terrain during flight. Aircraft was unable to fly out of area prior to ground impact.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.