# NTSB MKC82DA097: Piper PA-25-235, N6997Z, Kimball, NE, June 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1982, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Kimball, NE
- Coordinates: 41.230731, -103.649482 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2307&lon=-103.6495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA097

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH 100 GALLONS OF 2-4-D AND 40 GALLONS OF FUEL. DURING THE PREFLIGHT RUN-UP CHECK, THE PILOT NOTED A MAG DROP OF 225 RPM. HE STATED THAT LEANING THE FUEL MIXTURE CLEARED THE EXCESSIVE DECREASE IN RPM, AND HE OBSERVED 2500 RPM ON THE ENGINE TACHOMETER DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT SEEM TO WANT TO GAIN SPEED LIKE IT SHOULD, AND HE ROLLED ABOUT 2700 FT BEFORE LIFT-OFF. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT GAIN SPEED AS HE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 75 FT AGL, AND THE ENGINE POPPED AND SPUTTERED AS THE PLANE SETTLED. DURING A LANDING IN A SOFT FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AND THE PILOT WAS SOAKED WITH THE 2-4-D CHEMICAL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WOULD HAVE DUMPED HIS LOAD IF HE HAD A LITTLE MORE TIME. AN EXAMINATION AND OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PRECRASH MALFUNCTION OF FAILURE. THE TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE DATA SHOWED THAT THE ACFT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CLEAR A 50 FT OBSTACLE IN 1350 FT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 6500 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6997Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6997Z-2022-11-22), registration cancelled 2022-11-22, S/N 25-2749 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2749
- Airframe hours: 3428
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Walts Ag Service
- Registered owner: Walts Ag Service
- Departed: 4V7, KIMBALL, NE
- Destination: 4V7, KIMBALL, NE
- Airport: 4V7, Kimball Municipal, runway 11, 3,800 × 0 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 452 total, 30 in this make and model, 334 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 154 °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 19820605021679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820605021679A), Jun 5, 1982: Piper PA25235, Kimball, NE, Substantial damage. Lifted off near end of runway, unable to clear wires. Settled into a soft field. Nosed over. Failed to dump load.

## Other investigations on N6997Z (2)

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.

- [NTSB MKC76ACQ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76ACQ02), Jul 28, 1975: Piper PA-25 (N6997Z), Herkimer, KS, destroyed
- [NTSB FTW75DPJ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75DPJ02), Jul 18, 1974: Piper PA-25 (N6997Z), Felt, OK, substantial damage

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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