# NTSB LAX08CA188: Piper PA-36-375, N3859E, Lodi, CA, June 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2008, 06:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Lodi, CA - Coordinates: 38.088333, -121.355552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0883&lon=-121.3556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68272 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68272/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA188 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to continue the flight into an area of obscured visibility and his failure to maintain clearance above obstacles. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: obscuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030/cases.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was flying low over a grape vineyard to apply sulfur dust to the crop. He had made two application runs with no problems encountered. As he set up for the third run, he observed that the sulfur applied on the previous two runs had aggregated into a cloud and had drifted through the area in which he would be flying. He decided to continue the application run, and lost all visual contact with the ground as the airplane flew into the sulfur dust cloud. The left wing hit a grape trellis, which pulled the airplane down and to the left. The airplane traveled 150 yards on top of the grape trellises before stopping inverted on the ground. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane during the flight. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was flying low over a grape vineyard to apply sulfur dust. After making two application runs, he began a third run, and observed that sulfur dust from the previous two runs had drifted into the area through which he would be flying. He continued the run, and lost all visual contact with the ground as the airplane entered the sulfur dust cloud. He felt the left wing hit a grape trellis, which pulled the airplane down and to the left. The airplane traveled 150 yards on top of the grape trellises before stopping inverted on the ground. The pilot indicated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3859E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3859E-2008-08-12), registration cancelled 2008-08-12, S/N 36-7802028, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-36-375 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7802028 - Airframe hours: 9651 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: H And R Aerial Enterprises Inc, doing business as San Joaquin Air - Registered owner: Jack Roberts/Gene Hamner - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2008 - Departed: O20, Lodi, CA - Airport: O20, Kingdon Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review May 1, 2008; flight hours: 22,000 total, 5,700 in this make and model, 57 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20080619839779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080619839779A), Jun 19, 2008: Piper PA36375, Lodi, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Crop duster aircraft was heading north spraying sulfur on grapevines west of Lodi, CA. On third spray pass, aircraft struck several grapevines and… ## Other investigations on N3859E (1) 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 LAX03LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA129), Apr 5, 2003: Piper PA-36-375 (N3859E), Herald, CA, minor damage. Probable cause: the inadequate visual lookout for other aircraft by both pilots that resulted in a midair collision. 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.