# NTSB DEN89DTI01: Piper PA-25-235, N7001Z, Conrad, MT, June 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1989, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Conrad, MT
- Coordinates: 48.200469, -111.849044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2005&lon=-111.8490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89DTI01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89DTI01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE THE GUY WIRE IN TIME TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH IT.

## 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 - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS APPLYING HERBICIDE ON WHEAT. HE WAS WORKING ALONE AND THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A GUY WIRE SUPPORTING A POWERLINE TOWER. THE LEFT WING TIP HIT THE GUY WIRE AS THE AIRCRAFT PASSED UNDER THE WIRE AND THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND 30 FT BEYOND THE WIRE. THE WEATHER AND SUN GLARE WERE NOT CONSIDERED FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7001Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7001Z-1992-03-05), registration cancelled 1992-03-05, S/N 252753 (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: 25-2753
- Airframe hours: 2428
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Mellott, Thomas H.
- Registered owner: Mellott, Thomas H
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1989, 100 hours before
- Departed: S01, CONRAD, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,850 total, 1,400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 32 knots, gusting 48
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CTB, 29 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 19890620016259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890620016259A), Jun 20, 1989: Piper PA25235, Conrad, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. A wing struck the ground during ag operations and aircraft cartwheeled killing pilot. Too much wind for low flying.

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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