# NTSB DEN87LA114: Piper PA-25, N6749Z, Valley City, ND, April 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1987, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Valley City, ND
- Coordinates: 46.919158, -97.999794 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9192&lon=-97.9998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA114

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS TRYING OUT AN ACFT WITH THE STATED INTENTION OF LEASING IT. A TAKEOFF WAS PLANNED FROM A STRETCH OF GRAVEL ROAD. DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE THEN TOUCHED DOWN IN A FIELD, BOUNCED ACROSS AN INTERSECTING ROAD AND CAME TO REST IN ANOTHER FIELD. THE ACFT WAS LOADED WITH WATER IN THE HOPPERS, THEREFORE, NO HAZMAT SPILL OCCURRED DURING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6749Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6749Z), registered now, S/N 25-2368, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 252368
- Airframe hours: 3339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 91
- Operator: Robert S. Otterson, doing business as Bob'S Spraying Service
- Registered owner: Wakefield, Tom
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1986, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,480 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,741 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19870428013709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870428013709A), Apr 28, 1987: Piper PA25235, Valley City, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft lifted off early on takeoff from a gravel road and bounced into a field. Pilot flying without permission.

## Other investigations on N6749Z (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 DEN84LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA236), Jul 24, 1984: Piper PA-25-235 (N6749Z), Webster, ND, substantial damage

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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