# NTSB DEN87LA093: Piper PA-25-235, N4765Y, Idalia, CO, April 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1987, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Idalia, CO
- Coordinates: 39.69992, -102.299278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6999&lon=-102.2993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

AN AG PLT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF ON A DIRT ROAD FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT. THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AND THE ACFT WAS ALIGNED TO THE SOUTH. DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN A GUST FROM THE REAR LIFTED THE ACFT. THE ACFT DEPARTED THE ROAD TO THE LEFT, STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4765Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4765Y-1989-08-18), registration cancelled 1989-08-18, S/N 254525 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4525
- Airframe hours: 3652
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Kenneth C. Leach
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1987, 12 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 16,287 total, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AKO, 46 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 19870410060359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870410060359A), Apr 10, 1987: Piper PA25235, Idalia, CO, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off a road on takeoff and struck a ditch. The pilot reported a tailwind gust.

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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