# NTSB LAX95LA348: Piper PA-25, N8551L, Marana, AZ, September 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1995, 07:53 local (14:53 UTC)
- Place: Marana, AZ
- Location: 32.4367° N, 111.2254° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marana, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4367&lon=-111.2254&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA348

## Probable cause

the pilot misjudged clearance from the power lines.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said he misjudged the power lines and collided with them during a pullup from an aerial application.

## Factual narrative

On September 21, 1995, at 0753 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-25, N8551L, collided with some power lines near Marana, Arizona, during an aerial application maneuver while on a 14 CFR Part 137 flight.  The aircraft received substantial damage and the pilot was reportedly not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time.

According to the police report, the pilot told an officer that he misjudged the power lines during the pullup and the propeller and the wing tip struck the power lines.  The pilot was able to land the aircraft back at the airstrip.

The accident was initially reported as an incident.  The substantial damage wasn't confirmed until 10/03/95.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8551L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8551L), registered now, S/N 25-4971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- 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: 25-4971
- Airframe hours: 5542
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Marsh Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1995, 37 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 22,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 21,500 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots, gusting 20
- 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 19950921036219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950921036219A), Sep 21, 1995: Piper PA25235, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. Struck power lines on pullup from a spray run. Pilot was able to land at his airstrip. Damage to prop and wing tip.

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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