# NTSB LAX87DVG02: Piper PA-25-235, N7162Z, Williams, CA, February 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1987, 16:30 local (Feb 15, 1987, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Williams, CA
- Coordinates: 39.109863, -122.270729 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1099&lon=-122.2707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25339/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVG02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, THE PLT WAS PARALLELING A CANAL WHEN THE RIGHT WING BECAME ENTANGLED IN WEEDS AND CONTACTED THE CANAL. THE ACFT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE ACFT SLOWED AND THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR CONTACTED THE TERRAIN. THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7162Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7162Z-1998-09-11), registration cancelled 1998-09-11, S/N 253019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 253019
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: William A. Charter, doing business as Charter Aviation
- Registered owner: Walter C Lovell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 13,800 total, 3,700 in this make and model, 13,800 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19870214002769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870214002769A), Feb 14, 1987: Piper PA25235, Williams, CA, Substantial damage. The wing of the agricultural spray aircraft hit a canal and nosed over on landing. Pilot misjudged clearances.

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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