# NTSB LAX90FA250: Piper PA-25-235, N6763Z, Pleasant Valley, AZ, July 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1990, 09:25 local (16:25 UTC)
- Place: Pleasant Valley, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.590595, -112.100944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5906&lon=-112.1009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA250

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT SPIN AFTER FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS INCLUDE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, AND AN IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED LAP BELT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - nacelle/pylon - loose (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - disengaged
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT THE TOW PLANE WAS DIRTY SO HE WASHED IT. THE PILOT FAILED TO SECURE THE TWO ENGINE COWL DOORS. DURING INITIAL CLIMB, WITH A GLIDER IN TOW, THE DOORS BEGAN FLOPPING UP AND DOWN. THE GLIDER PILOT OBSERVED THE MISHAP, RELEASED THE TOW LINE AND SAFELY LANDED. THE TOW PLANE PILOT REVERSED COURSE TO RETURN FOR LANDING. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT WHILE REVERSING COURSE THE AIRPLANE'S PITCH ATTITUDE STEEPENED. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SPUN UNTIL CRASHING ON DESERT TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6763Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6763Z-1991-05-03), registration cancelled 1991-05-03, S/N 252384 (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: 25-2384
- Airframe hours: 5044
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Turf Soaring School
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 19, 1990, 72 hours before
- Airport: AZ05, Pleasant Valley, runway 23L, 4,000 × 120 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,550 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °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 19900711025339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900711025339A), Jul 11, 1990: Piper PA25235, Peoria, AZ, Substantial damage. Cowling opened on aerial tow. Glider cut loose. Tow plane stalled in nose high turn. Spun in. Belt failed on impact

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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