# NTSB LAX83LA389: Piper PA25-235, N7104Z, Somerton, AZ, August 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1983, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Somerton, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.529182, -114.710861 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5292&lon=-114.7109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA389
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA389

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING A TURN IN TURBULENT AIR TO ABORT AN AERIAL APPLICATION MISSION BECAUSE OF WEATHER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD MADE TWO PASSES AT THE FIELD HE WAS SPRAYING WHEN HE NOTICED THE FLAGMAN AND FARMERS WAVING HIM OFF DUE TO AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM. AFTER DECIDING HE WAS SUPPOSED TO LEAVE THE PILOT STATED THATHE MADE A STANDARD RIGHT TURN TO THE NORTH AND ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHEAR. THE RIGHT WING WAS FORCED DOWN ALMOST INVERTED BEFORE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO THE WITNESSES AFTER CIRCLING TO CONFIRM THE SIGNAL TO LEAVE THE ACFT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN, LOST ALT RAPIDLY AND CONTACTED THE GROUND RIGHT WING FIRST. THE YUMA, AZ WEATHER REPORT AT 1055 HOURS LISTS IN THE REMARKS SECTION CUMULONIMBUS CLOUDS MOVING SOUTHEAST TO NORTHWEST THROUGH THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7104Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7104Z-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 25-2899, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA25-235
- 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
- Serial number: 25-2899
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Aero Applicators, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: P49, SOMERTON, AZ
- Airport: P49, Somerton, runway 14, 2,000 × 200 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,698 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,698 as pilot in command, 276 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YUM, 8 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 19830816041759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830816041759A), Aug 16, 1983: Piper PA25235, Somerton, AZ, Destroyed. Encountered wind gusts from approaching storm. Stalled in a turn to leave area. Blamed windshear.

## Other investigations on N7104Z (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 FTW71FQC10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FQC10), Jul 23, 1970: Piper PA-25 (N7104Z), Anton, 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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