# NTSB LAX73DVA49: Piper PA-25, N6988Z, Pond, CA, April 11, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 11, 1973
- Place: Pond, CA · POND, CA
- Location: 35.7177° N, 119.3287° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pond, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7177&lon=-119.3287&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 24, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 170683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX73DVA49
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DVA49

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0757  73/4/11    POND,CALIF          PIPER PA-25         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 28, 600
        TIME - 1335                    N6988Z              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 300 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DELANO,CALIF                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      IN FLIGHT: FLAREOUT FOR SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  300                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  250                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UPWIND
        REMARKS- HAD TO CLEAR TALL TREES BFOR RUN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6988Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6988Z-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 25-2738, built 1964 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19730411007809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730411007809A), Apr 11, 1973: Piper PA25235, Pond, CA, Substantial damage. Had to clear tall trees bfor run.

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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