# NTSB FTW86LRD20: Piper PA-25-235, N7321Z, Marksville, LA, June 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1986, 15:02 local (20:02 UTC)
- Place: Marksville, LA
- Coordinates: 31.119668, -92.059387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1197&lon=-92.0594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LRD20
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LRD20

## 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
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT DELAYED IN HIS PULLUP FROM A SPRAY SWATH RUN UNTIL THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME AND DISTANCE TO CLEAR THE LINE OF TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD. AIRSPEED DECREASED RAPIDLY DURING THE PULLUP. TREE IMPACT OCCURRED AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7321Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7321Z-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 253268 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-3268
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Rusty Gate Ag Airforce
- Registered owner: Danny P. Fadler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: VICK, LA
- Destination: VICK, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,655 total, 60 in this make and model, 241 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °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 19860623043949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860623043949A), Jun 23, 1986: Piper PA25235, Marksville, LA, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a tree during a pullup while spraying crops.

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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