# NTSB DEN90LA140: Piper PA-25-260, N4988Y, Hazelton, ND, June 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1990, 08:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Hazelton, ND
- Coordinates: 46.480445, -100.269874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4804&lon=-100.2699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA140

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERING.

## 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
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT REPORTED THAT HE STARTED UNDER A WIRE WHILE ON AN AERIAL SPRAYING FLIGHT, BUT COULD REMEMBER NOTHING ELSE. THE OPERATOR SAID THE PLANE WAS MANEUVERING FOR A SPRAY PASS AND CLIMBED INTO AT LEAST THREE POWER LINES, SEVERING TWO AND FRAYING THE THIRD. THE PLANE STRUCK THE GROUND LEFT WING LOW AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE WRECKAGE WAS DESTROYED IN A POSTACCIDENT FIRE. WITNESSES PULLED THE UNCONSCIOUS PILOT FROM THE BURNING WRECKAGE. THE PILOT'S MEDICAL SHOWED A VISION WAIVER AND REQUIRED THE AIRMAN TO WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE THE PILOT WORE CORRECTIVE LENSES DURING THIS FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4988Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4988Y), registered now, S/N 25-4797, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4797
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Midwest Air Center
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 9,310 total, 700 in this make and model, 8,300 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900622021979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900622021979A), Jun 22, 1990: Piper PA25260, Hazelton, ND, Destroyed. Struck powerline, crashed and burned during a spray run pullup. Blamed gusty wind.

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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