# NTSB FTW83LA042: Piper PA-25-235, N6839L, Waco, TX, November 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1982, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Waco, TX
- Coordinates: 31.550277, -97.140205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5503&lon=-97.1402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA042

## 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
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

DURING THE SECOND SWATH RUN THE PILOT STRUCK A POWER WIRE LOCATED IN A TREE LINE. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A OAT FIELD AND WAS DESTROYED BY GROUND FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6839L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6839L-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 25-7405576, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- 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: 25745576
- Airframe hours: 149
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2L5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: John H. Murphy
- Registered owner: John H. Murphy
- Departed: WACO, TX
- Destination: WACO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 155° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## 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 19821120060669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821120060669A), Nov 20, 1982: Piper PA25235, Waco, TX, Destroyed. On second swath run, aircraft hit wires and crashed.

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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