# NTSB DEN87LA191: Piper PA-25, N6419Z, Portales, NM, July 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1987, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Portales, NM
- Coordinates: 34.179786, -103.34098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1798&lon=-103.3410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA191

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS WITHOUT CHEMICALS ONBOARD. DURING A TURN, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PLT LEVELED THE WINGS AND LOWERED THE NOSE TO GAIN AIRSPEED. THE PLT SELECTED A LANDING SITE AND AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT A SMALL RIDGE AND COLLAPSED. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE TEARDOWN BY THE OWNER DID NOT REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6419Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6419Z-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 25-565, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25) (registry code 7102502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25565
- Airframe hours: 1070
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Marcie C. Dilley, doing business as Valley Ag Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: David A Dilley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987
- Departed: Q34

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 330 total, 49 in this make and model, 188 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 25 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 19870720035539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870720035539A), Jul 20, 1987: Piper PA25, Portales, NM, Substantial damage. Practicing a spray run. Engine lost power. Landed in a field. Left gear hit a small ridge. Skidded to a stop.

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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