# NTSB FTW97LA277: Piper PA-25-235, N8784L, Blackwell, OK, July 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 1997, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Blackwell, OK - Coordinates: 36.800304, -97.290954 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8003&lon=-97.2910&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20288/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA277 ## Probable cause partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors relating to the accident were: the high vegetation and ditch in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after takeoff from a private strip, at approximately 300 feet AGL, the airplane's engine experienced a partial loss of power. A forced landing to a road was performed. During the landing sequence, the airplane's wing contacted 'tall weeds in [a] road ditch and pulled [the] airplane into [the] ditch.' The pilot shut down the engine after the airplane came to rest. An engine run was performed, and an FAA inspector, who attended the run, reported that the pilot 'reached in and started the engine; it ran smoothly. He advanced the throttle slightly, the engine accelerated smoothly.' The pilot reported that on the day of the accident, there was high temperature and high humidity. He 'suspected carb[uretor] icing.' Carburetor icing was not verified. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 1997, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 agricultural airplane, N8784L, owned and operated by Lee Aviation, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff climb near Blackwell, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. A flight plan was not filed for the local flight that was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that after takeoff from a private strip, at approximately 300 feet AGL, the airplane's engine experienced a partial loss of power. A forced landing to a road was performed. During the forced landing sequence, the airplane's wing contacted "tall weeds in [a] road ditch and pulled [the] airplane into [the] ditch." The pilot shut down the engine after the airplane came to rest. The vertical stabilizers, the horizontal stabilizer and the aft section of the fuselage were damaged. The left wing was also bent. An engine run was performed and the FAA inspector who attended the run reported that the pilot "reached in and started the engine; it ran smoothly. He advanced the throttle slightly, the engine accelerated smoothly." The pilot reported that on the day of the accident, there was high temperature and high humidity, and that he "suspected carb[uretor] icing." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8784L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8784L), registered now, S/N 25-5267, built 1970 (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 O-540-B2C5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-b2c5) (registry code 42338, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-5267 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Lee Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1997 - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,453 total, 1,095 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °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 19970721019169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970721019169A), Jul 21, 1997: Piper PA25235, Blackwell, OK, Substantial damage. On July 21, 1997, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 argricultural airplane, N8784L, owned and op takeoff climb near Blackwell, Oklahoma. The… ## Other investigations on N8784L (2) 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. - [NTSB MKC77FER46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FER46), Jun 10, 1977: Piper PA-25 (N8784L), Canby, MN, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW76FRD41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FRD41), May 1, 1976: Piper PA-25 (N8784L), Elton, LA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.