# NTSB FTW95LA304: Piper PA-25-235, N9801P, Stratton, CO, July 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1995, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Stratton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.299392, -102.599052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2994&lon=-102.5991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA304
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA304

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT AS HE INITIATED THE SWATH RUN AND OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT OVER THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT.

## 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
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,static

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING HIS FIRST SPRAY RUN ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST HIS DESCENT AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND. HE ADDED FULL POWER AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE AIRCRAFT AIRBORNE, BUT IT WOULD NEITHER ACCELERATE NOR CLIMB. AFTER TRANSITING ABOUT ONE HALF MILE ACROSS THE FIELD BEING WORKED, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINES AND CARTWHEELED. CALCULATIONS PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROXIMATELY 400 POUNDS OVER MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF WHICH WAS ABOUT 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On July 15, 1995, at 1515 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25- 235, N9801P, collided with power lines 14 miles northeast of Stratton, Colorado.  The pilot was not injured and the aircraft was destroyed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Joes, Colorado, about 15 minutes prior to the accident.

According to the pilot, he entered the field for his first spray pattern over power lines and was unable to stop his descent.  The landing gear struck the ground and the pilot said he added full power and got airborne but was unable to accelerate or climb.  The pilot stated he went for about one half mile where the aircraft struck power lines at the other end of the field and cartwheeled.

According to the FAA inspector who went on scene, the aircraft maximum allowable gross weight of 2,900 pounds was exceeded by 400 pounds at takeoff, which was about 15 minutes before the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9801P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9801P-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 25-7556114, 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: 257556114
- Airframe hours: 4502
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Outlaw Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1995, 156 hours before
- Departed: NONE, JOES, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 420 total, 37 in this make and model, 305 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19950715019779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950715019779A), Jul 15, 1995: Piper PA25235, Stratton, CO, Destroyed. Failed arrest descent entering first spray run. Hit ground added power climbed hit power line. Cartwheeled. Over wt

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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