# NTSB DEN88LA161: Piper PA-36-285, N9990P, Buchanan, ND, July 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1988, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Buchanan, ND
- Coordinates: 47.630592, -97.449783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6306&lon=-97.4498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17508/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight control,rudder - disabled (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - separation

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE MADE SEVERAL SWATH RUNS PASSING UNDER A TRANSMISSION LINE AND OVER A POWER LINE THAT CROSSED THE END OF THE FLD BEING SPRAYED. HE SAID AS HE PASSED UNDER THE TRANSMISSION LINE DURING A RUN THE VERT STAB COLLIDED WITH THE LINE AND WAS DAMAGED. HE THEN DECIDED TO LAND ON A ROAD TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. DURING THE FLARE, THE AIRCRAFT COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED WITH RUDDER. THE ACFT WENT INTO THE DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9990P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9990P-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 367560105 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 367560105
- Airframe hours: 2185
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ivesdal, Mark R.
- Registered owner: Ivesdal, Mark
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1988, 81 hours before
- Departed: NONE, PINGREE, ND
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,433 total, 1,055 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880718046529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880718046529A), Jul 18, 1988: Piper PA36285, Buchanan, ND, Substantial damage. While flying under wires on a spray run, rudder struck wires and crash landed on a nearby road.

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.