# NTSB FTW90DQG04: Piper PA-25-235, N9852P, Lubbock, TX, August 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1990, 13:47 local (18:47 UTC)
- Place: Lubbock, TX
- Coordinates: 33.589859, -101.850112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5899&lon=-101.8501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DQG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DQG04

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE DURING A TURN-AROUND MANEUVER, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT STALLING INTO THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION AIRPLANE COMPLETED A SWATH RUN AND INITIATED A TURN-AROUND MANEUVER OVER AN ADJACENT FIELD.  DURING THE FINAL PORTION OF THAT MANEUVER, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TERRAIN, LEFT WING TIP FIRST.  DURING IMPACT, THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED ABOUT 200 DEG AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FT FROM THE INITIAL GROUND CONTACT POINT, THEN BURNED.  A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE IN THE TURN-AROUND MANEUVER.  HE SAID IT WENT 'STRAIGHT UP THEN DOWN' BEFORE IMPACT. THE OPERATOR SAID HE HAD ADVISED THE PILOT BEFORE THE FLIGHT THAT HE WAS 'GETTING A BIT RECKLESS AND TAKING UNNECESSARY CHANCES.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9852P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9852P-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 25-7556175, built 1975 (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: 25-7556175
- Airframe hours: 2743
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ag-Aerial Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1990, 55 hours before
- Departed: F83, ABERNATHY, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,405 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: LBB, 2 nm away

## 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 19900825036299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900825036299A), Aug 25, 1990: Piper PA25235, Lubbock, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pulled up and stalled after low pass over smoker to check wind direction. 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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