# NTSB LAX85FA216: Piper PA25-235, N9636P, Walnut Grove, CA, April 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1985, 11:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Walnut Grove, CA
- Coordinates: 38.230564, -121.579055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2306&lon=-121.5791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA216

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT FLEW INTO THE GROUND ON A PROCEDURE TURNAROUND WHILE SPRAYING WHEAT WITH A TOXIC CHEMICAL. THE ACFT DID NOT STALL AND THE ENGINE SOUND DID NOT CHANGE. A SEPARATED AILERON CROSSOVER CABLE SHOWED NO FATIGUE. THE CHOLINESTERASE LEVEL IN THE PILOT'S BLOOD WAS NORMAL. CHOLINESTERASE IS INHIBITED BY TOXIC PESTICIDES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9636P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9636P-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 25-7405802, built 1974 (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: 25-7405802
- Airframe hours: 2596
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Victor G Spezia, doing business as Spezia Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984, 112 hours before
- Airport: Spezia

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850419076029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850419076029A), Apr 19, 1985: Piper PA25235, Walnut Grove, CA, Destroyed. Flew into the ground during a turn after spraying run. No mechanical malfunction found. Had complained of diarrhea.

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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