# NTSB LAX93LA204: Piper PA-25-260, N4749Y, Pixley, CA, May 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1993, 15:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Place: Pixley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.829933, -118.239753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8299&lon=-118.2398&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 June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA204

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed during the turn.  The inadvertent stall was a factor in this accident.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS BEGINNING A LOCAL PRACTICE AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT.  THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE DURING THE CROSSWIND TURN ONTO THE DOWNWIND LEG.

## Factual narrative

On Thursday, May 6, 1993, at 1522 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA25 260, N4749Y, crashed shortly after departing runway 31, Pixley Airport, Pixley, California.  The pilot was beginning a visual flight rules aerial application practice flight.  The airplane, operated by Earlimart Dusters, Inc., Earlimart, California, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on May 12, 1993, that he began a right downwind turn shortly after lifting off runway 31.  During the turn, the right wing began to raise and he was unable to arrest it.  The pilot lost control of the aircraft and crashed.  He stated that the surface winds were from 310 degrees at about 10 knots and believes that he encountered a "dust devil."

The pilot reiterated his telephone interview statement, including the right downwind turn, in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.  He also provided a flight path diagram; the diagram showed that he initiated a left turn onto the downwind leg.  Photographs provided by Mr. Norm Wilkins, Federal Aviation Administration, Fresno [California] Flight Standards District Office, show that the pilot executed a left downwind turn.  The pilot also indicated that the airplane did not experience any malfunctions or failures preceding the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4749Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4749Y-1994-10-19), registration cancelled 1994-10-19, S/N 254506 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4506
- Airframe hours: 3963
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earlimart Dusters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1993
- Airport: Q90, Pixley, runway 31, 2,050 × 38 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 992 total, 95 in this make and model, 952 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930506012479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930506012479A), May 6, 1993: Piper PA25260, Pixley, CA, Substantial damage. Practice application flight. Stalled during crosswind turn onto downwind leg.

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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