# NTSB DEN88DTE05: Piper PA-25-235, N8678L, Limon, CO, June 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1988, 07:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Limon, CO
- Coordinates: 39.260719, -103.680427 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2607&lon=-103.6804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88DTE05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88DTE05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS MAKING HIS THIRD SWATHRUN WHEN THE ENG QUIT. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING BUT THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT SAID HE HAD 15 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD AT TAKEOFF AND HAD BEEN AIRBORNE ABOUT 15 MIN. THE FAA A/W INSP WHO EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE WX WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8678L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8678L-1995-05-12), registration cancelled 1995-05-12, S/N 255131 (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 5131
- Airframe hours: 1990
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Saffer Spray Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Saffer Spray Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1988, 105 hours before
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,570 total, 1,580 in this make and model, 4,390 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880607050129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880607050129A), Jun 7, 1988: Piper PA25235, Limon, CO, Substantial damage. Engine failed on a spray run. Forced landed on a steep downhill slope and nosed over. Was using auto fuel.

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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