# NTSB DEN91LA088: Piper PA-25C-235, N8787L, Las Cruces, NM, July 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1991, 05:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Las Cruces, NM
- Coordinates: 32.259624, -106.819702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2596&lon=-106.8197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA088

## Probable cause

POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION.  A FACTOR WAS:  PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRPLANE PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE HE WAS SPRAYING A FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE OWNER LATER EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AND REPORTED FINDING CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL TANK, FUEL SCREEN, AND GASCOLATOR.  FAA  SAID THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD A VALID OPERATING CERTIFICATION FOR PART 137 OPERATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8787L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8787L-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 25-5473, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25C-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: 25-5473
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Dulin, James A.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,100 total, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ELP, 30 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 19910709026739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910709026739A), Jul 9, 1991: Piper PA25235, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. Lost power. Flipped over on forced landing. Fuel was contaminated. Did not hold a aerial ag operator certificate.

## Other investigations on N8787L (3)

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.

- [NTSB CHI93LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA175), May 19, 1993: Piper PA-25-235 (N8787L), Mexico, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the soft field landing site.
- [NTSB MKC82DA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA154), Aug 20, 1982: Piper PA-25-235 (N8787L), Fisk, MO, destroyed
- [NTSB FTW75FRD46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75FRD46), May 9, 1975: Piper PA-25 (N8787L), Leroy, LA, substantial damage

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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