# NTSB LAX72FUJ50: Piper PA-25, N6979Z, Wellton, AZ, October 9, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 9, 1971
- Place: Wellton, AZ · WELLTON, AZ
- Location: 32.6401° N, 114.2152° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wellton, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6401&lon=-114.2152&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 163543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX72FUJ50
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUJ50

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1976   71/10/9   WELLTON,ARIZ        PIPER PA-25         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 46, 11225
        TIME - 0830                    N6979Z              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 225 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WELLTON
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WELLTON,ARIZ                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 2100                       KIND OF OPERATION - DEFOLIATION (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  250                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - FIRST 1/3 TURN
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- R WG CAUGHT CROP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6979Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6979Z-1971-11-24), registration cancelled 1971-11-24, S/N 25-2725 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Wellton

## Other investigations on N6979Z (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 FTW66F0289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0289), Aug 13, 1965: Piper PA-25 (N6979Z), San Benito, TX, 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.

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