# NTSB DEN89LA170: Piper PA-36, N57622, Haswell, CO, July 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1989, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Haswell, CO
- Coordinates: 38.449478, -103.160514 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4495&lon=-103.1605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA170

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT (FAILED TO SEE & AVOID) WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE OBSTRUCTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE UNMARKED GUY WIRE & THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL CUES (VISUAL PERCEPTION).

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

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING A SWATH RUN NEAR A MAJOR POWER LINE, THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING HIT A GUY WIRE THAT WAS ANCHORED ABOUT 95 FT TO THE SIDE OF THE POWER LINE. THE GUY WIRE SEVERED THE RIGHT WING & THE ACFT CRASHED. THE PLT RPRTD THAT IF THE UNMARKED GUY WIRE HAD BEEN MORE VISIBLE, THE ACDNT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57622](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57622-1990-07-20), registration cancelled 1990-07-20, S/N 367660020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7660020
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Barlow, Kirk A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1989, 40 hours before
- Departed: 7V9, LAS ANIMAS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,317 total, 2,578 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LHX, 12 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 19890717022589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890717022589A), Jul 17, 1989: Piper PA36285, Haswell, CO, Destroyed. Wing tore off on power line guy wire during a spray run. Guy wire not marked. Unseen.

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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