# NTSB MKC83FA189: Piper PA-25-260, N8559L, Whittemore, IA, August 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1983, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Whittemore, IA
- Coordinates: 43.059242, -94.420387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0592&lon=-94.4204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA189

## 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
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS MAKING A TRIM SWATH IN A LOW AREA TOWARD RISING TERRAIN WHEN HE APPROACHED AN UNEXPECTED 'HIGH LINE' WIRE. THE WIRE WAS POSITIONED DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE FIELD. HE REPORTED THAT WHILE AVOIDING THE WIRE, HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR NEARBY TREES. AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE TREES, THE ACFT REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR ANOTHER 380 FT BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8559L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8559L-1985-01-22), registration cancelled 1985-01-22, S/N 25-4980 (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: 25-4980
- Airframe hours: 1971
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Steier Ag Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1983, 25 hours before

## 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.; seat: center; flight hours: 661 total, 127 in this make and model, 565 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19830813041049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830813041049A), Aug 13, 1983: Piper PA25260, Whittemore, IA, Destroyed. Aircraft hit trees and crashed during aerial application flight.

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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