# NTSB FTW82FQG19: Piper PA-25, N4979Y, Edmonson, TX, July 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1982, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Edmonson, TX
- Location: 34.2791° N, 101.8967° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Edmonson, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2791&lon=-101.8967&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FQG19
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQG19

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN SPRAYING THE FIELD FOR ABOUT 1 HR AND WAS ON THE LAST PASS. THE OWNER/FLAGGER STATED THAT HE HAD WARNED THE PILOT (BY USING A TWO WAY RADIO) TO WATCH OUT FOR A STANDPIPE AND RADIO ANTENNA, AND THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED. HE REPORTED THE PLANE WAS ON ITS LAST PASS AND APPEARED TO BE HIGH ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE ANTENNA. IN THE VICINITY OF THE ANTENNA, HE OBSERVED THE PLANE PULL UP STEEPLY, ROLL TO THE RIGHT, THEN GO DOWN AND IMPACT THE GROUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLANE CRASHED ABOUT 125 FT BEYOND A FIBERGLASS WHIP ANTENNA. THE ANTENNA WAS ABOUT 1 INCH IN DIAMETER AT ITS BASE AND TAPERED TO VERY THIN AT THE TOP, ABOUT 75 TO 85 FT AGL. ABOUT 12 FT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TOP OF THE ANTENNA. AFTER IMPACTING THE GROUND, THE PLANE BURNED AND WAS DEMOLISHED. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE PILOT DIED ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER BEING REMOVED FROM THE BURNING PLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4979Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4979Y-1984-08-01), registration cancelled 1984-08-01, S/N 25-4730 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4730
- Airframe hours: 4018
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Joe Ramsey
- Registered owner: Joe Ramsey
- Departed: PLAINVIEW, TX
- Destination: PLAINVIEW, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 26,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 180 °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 19820710026389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820710026389A), Jul 10, 1982: Piper PA25235, Edmonson, TX, Destroyed. Stalled in a steep pull up on spray run to miss an obstruction. Crashed and burned.

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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