# NTSB FTW73DQD07: Piper PA-25, N4849Y, Balmorhea, TX, September 2, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 2, 1972
- Place: Balmorhea, TX · BALMORHEA, TX
- Location: 30.9824° N, 103.7450° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Balmorhea, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9824&lon=-103.7450&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 20, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 168197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW73DQD07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DQD07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3929   72/9/2    BALMORHEA,TEX       PIPER PA-25         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 44, 12000
        TIME - 1400                    N4849Y              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 400 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - KESEY BROS STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BALMORHEA,TEX               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SOFT RUNWAY
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 4000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
        REMARKS- TAILWHEEL HIT DITCH.GR COLLAPSED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4849Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4849Y-1975-05-12), registration cancelled 1975-05-12, S/N 25-4648 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Kesey Bros Strip

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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