# NTSB MIA84LA205: Piper PA-25-235, N9860P, Bonifay, FL, July 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1984, 12:02 local (17:02 UTC)
- Place: Bonifay, FL
- Coordinates: 30.780817, -85.680664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7808&lon=-85.6807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA205

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - flt control syst,aileron control - inoperative (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - inoperative (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE TURNING AFTER A SWATH RUN THE CONTROL STICK CAME LOOSE AND THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND. INSPECTION REVEALED THE BOLT USED TO SECURE THE CONTROL STICK FAILED DUE TO CORROSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9860P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-7556184
- Airframe hours: 1402
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Jerry Cooley, doing business as Holmes County Farm Ser.,Inc.
- Registered owner: Holmes County Farm Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1983, 185 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 60 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 19840720034159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840720034159A), Jul 20, 1984: Piper PA25235, Bonifay, FL, Destroyed. Control stick came loose during low level swath run causing crash. Bolt securing stick corroded causing failure.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.