# NTSB FTW72FRG13: Piper PA-25, N4588Y, Refugio, TX, August 12, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 12, 1971
- Place: Refugio, TX · REFUGIO, TX
- Location: 28.3074° N, 97.2750° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Refugio, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3074&lon=-97.2750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 5, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 162685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72FRG13
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72FRG13

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1454  71/8/12    REFUGIO,TEX         PIPER PA-25         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 59, 45420
        TIME - 2150                    N4588Y              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 2862 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ROOKE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          REFUGIO,TEX                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: ELECTRONIC TOWERS                         IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 9999                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING TOWNS
          KIND OF CROP - MOSQUITO CONTROL                          TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  54                  SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- NIGHT-DARK,HIT UNLIT RADIO TWR SPRAYING TOWN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4588Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4588Y-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 25-4268, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Rooke

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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