# NTSB LAX97LA100: Piper PA-22-150, N1900F, Madera, CA, February 9, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1997, 11:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Madera, CA
- Coordinates: 36.909294, -120.189483 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9093&lon=-120.1895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29724/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA100

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstructions and his inadequate visual outlook.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude/clearance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot failed to clear a power line during his twelfth pass while spraying pollen over an almond orchard.  The pilot indicated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the collision.  The pilot did not hold an aerial application certificate under 14 CFR 137.

## Factual narrative

On February 9, 1997, at 1150 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N1900F, collided with telephone wires near Madera, California.  The airplane was destroyed and the certificated commercial pilot was not injured.  The airplane was being operated as a aerial application flight by the pilot/owner.  According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot did not hold an agricultural aircraft operator certificate under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot indicated he was spraying pollen on an almond orchard.  The pilot stated, "On entry of the twelvth [twelfth] pass from west to east I failed to clear [a] power line."  The pilot also indicated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the collision.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1900F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1900F-2001-01-31), registration cancelled 2001-01-31, S/N 22-2651 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2651
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hoffrage, William D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 617 total, 334 in this make and model, 574 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 23 nm away

## 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 19970209001469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970209001469A), Feb 9, 1997: Piper PA22150, Madera, CA, Destroyed. Collided with telephone wires applying pollen to orchard. No agricultural certificate.(.4) on February 9, 1997, at 1150 hours pacific standard time, a Piper…

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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