# NTSB GAA17CA453: Piper PA36, N132VA, McCook, NE, July 29, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 29, 2017, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: McCook, NE
- Coordinates: 40.281112, -100.624168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2811&lon=-100.6242&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA/ FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA453
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95710/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95710
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA453

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering downwind during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while maneuvering at low altitude during agricultural spraying, he noticed "some shuddering (stalling)" on multiple downwind low passes. He added that, on the fourth attempt to spray on a downwind line, he experienced "severe shuddering and loss of altitude," so he applied full power and dumped the entirety of the aerial application product. He further added that, after dumping the load, the airplane was about 10 to 15 ft above ground level and still would not climb. The pilot reported that he continued to "pull back on the stick," entered a right turn to avoid obstacles ahead, and the airplane "continued to [aerodynamically] stall until impact." The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station 18 nautical miles south from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 140° at 12 knots. The pilot reported that the wind had "picked up to 20-25 mph" and that the flightpath was "nearly directly downwind at the time of impact." The pilot reported that the airplane was not equipped with a stall warning device.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while maneuvering at low altitude during agricultural spraying, he noticed "some shuddering (stalling)" on multiple downwind low passes. He added that, on the 4th attempt to spray on a downwind line, he experienced "severe shuddering and loss of altitude," so he applied full power and dumped the entirety of the aerial application product. He further added that, after dumping the load, the airplane was about 10-15 ft. above ground and still would not climb. The pilot reported that, he continued to "pull back on the stick," entered a right turn to avoid obstacles ahead, and the airplane "continued to [aerodynamically] stall until impact." The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, about the time of the accident, 18 nautical miles south from the accident site, reported wind from 140° at 12 knots. The pilot reported that the wind had "picked up to 20-25mph" and the flight path was "nearly directly downwind at the time of impact." The pilot reported that the airplane was not equipped with a stall warning device.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N132VA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N132VA-2019-02-12), registration cancelled 2019-02-12, S/N 36-7660013, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA36 (285)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 6-285-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-6-285-a) (registry code 17038, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7660013
- Year built: 1975
- Airframe hours: 6661.7
- Engines: Lycoming IO-720-AIR reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Red Willow Aviation
- Registered owner: Griff H. Malleck DBA Red Willow Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2016
- Departed: MCK, MC COOK, NE
- Destination: MCK, MC COOK, NE
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,360 total, 595 in this make and model, 1,360 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 13 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KMCK, 18 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 20170729012889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170729012889A), Jul 29, 2017: Piper PA-36-285, Mccook, NE, Substantial damage. During aerial application the pilot was attemptiing to line up on a downwind pass, on the third attempt the aircraft lost lift and was flown into the ground,…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95710. 3.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457256&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457257&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457258&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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