# NTSB DEN99LA079: Piper PA-25-260, N8531L, Richfield, UT, May 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1999, 06:46 local (12:46 UTC) - Place: Richfield, UT - Coordinates: 38.750209, -112.100814 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7502&lon=-112.1008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46336/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the wires while maneuvering during an aerial application. ## 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 (cause) - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was performing an aerial application flight and had just performed his fourth pass spraying a field. While pulling up out of the field, the airplane caught a power line with the landing gear. He was able to fly for a short time but was unable to adequately control the aircraft, and performed a forced landing in the field. The aircraft impacted the ground, damaging the engine, propeller, and the landing gear. The pilot had two additional accidents within a year. Following his latest accident, the pilot verbally agreed to voluntarily surrender his aerial application operating certificate to, and at the request of, the FAA. As of this writing, the pilot had not yet surrendered his certificate. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1999, at 0646 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-260, N8531L, owned and operated by the pilot, was destroyed following an in-flight collision with wires while maneuvering 6 miles north of the Richfield Municipal Airport, Richfield, Utah. The commercial pilot, sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area aerial application flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 137. The flight originated from the Richfield airport at 0625. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he was spraying a field with Furadan (a weed killer). Prior to spraying, he flew over the field to observe any obstacles. He began spraying from west to east and made three passes. On the fourth pass, he caught a power line with the landing gear while pulling up after spraying the field. He stated that he was able to fly for a short time but was unable to adequately control the aircraft, and performed a forced landing in the field. The aircraft impacted the ground, damaging the engine, propeller, and the landing gear. The pilot had two additional accidents within the previous year; the first occurred on May 16, 1998, while performing an aerial application flight in N9754P, a PA-25-260D, and the second was on June 16, 1998, and happened while the pilot was performing a ferry flight in N8531L, the same accident aircraft. Following his latest accident, the pilot verbally agreed to voluntarily surrender his aerial application operating certificate to, and at the request of, the Federal Aviation Administration. As of this writing, the pilot had not yet rendered his certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8531L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8531L-2000-02-15), registration cancelled 2000-02-15, S/N 25-4950 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-4950 - Airframe hours: 4120 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Donald Blackham - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1998, 34 hours before - Departed: RIF, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 605 total, 105 in this make and model, 538 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 19990521020929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990521020929A), May 21, 1999: Piper PA25260, Richfield, UT, Destroyed. On may 21, 1999, at 0646 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-260, N8531L, owned and operated by the pilot, was destroyed following an in-flight collision… ## Other investigations on N8531L (1) 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 FTW98LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA270), Jun 17, 1998: Piper PA-25-260 (N8531L), Douglas, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate judgement in attempting to takeoff from unsuitable rough terrain. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.