# NTSB DEN90LA131: Piper PA-25-235, N7136Z, Andover, SD, June 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1990, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Andover, SD
- Coordinates: 45.41061, -97.900764 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4106&lon=-97.9008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA131

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE DURING THE SWATH RUN.

## 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 - tree(s)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A SWATH RUN DELIVERING CHEMICAL TO A FARM FIELD. HE STATED, 'I CAME OVER THE HILL IN THE FIELD AND HIT A TREE ON THE EDGE OF IT. . . AS I CAME OVER THE TOP OF THE HILL IT [THE TREE] BLENDED IN WITH ANOTHER TREE BEHIND IT SO IT WAS CLOSER THAN I REALIZED.' THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO PULL UP TO AVOID THE TREE, AND BELIEVES THE AIRPLANE STALLED SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7136Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7136Z-2002-06-13), registration cancelled 2002-06-13, S/N 25-2954, built 1964 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2594
- Airframe hours: 3917
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Martin L. Beving, doing business as Beving Aerial Crop Service
- Registered owner: Beving, Martin L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1990, 80 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BRISTOL, SD
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 463 total, 78 in this make and model, 463 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABR, 5 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 19900609019579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900609019579A), Jun 9, 1990: Piper PA25235, Andover, SD, Substantial damage. On pullup from swath run struck top of a tree. Aircraft nosed up and stalled.

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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