# NTSB MKC83LA179: Piper PA-25-235, N4739Y, Ludell, KS, August 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1983, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Ludell, KS
- Coordinates: 39.849285, -100.960113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8493&lon=-100.9601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33460
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33460/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED AND CRASHED DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. THE PILOT SAID THE HEAVILY LOADED ACFT STALLED DURING A TURN. THE ACCIDENT SITE ELEVATION IS ABOUT 3000 FT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 90 DEGREES F. THE DENSITY ALT WAS ABOUT 5500 FT. THE PILOT ALSO NOTED MODERATE TURBULENCE IN THE AREA. THE PILOT RECOMMENDATION FOR PREVENTION OF THIS TYPE ACCIDENT IS TO THINK MORE OF THE 'SAFETY OF THE TURNS' RATHER THAN THE TIME SAVED BY STEEP TURNS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4739Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4739Y-1983-12-03), registration cancelled 1983-12-03, S/N 25-4320, built 1967 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4320
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Bliss Aerial App.
- Registered owner: Thomas C. Bliss
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1983, 130 hours before
- Departed: K60, ATWOOD, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,009 total, 61 in this make and model, 879 as pilot in command, 184 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19830805041959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830805041959A), Aug 5, 1983: Piper PA25235, Ludell, KS, Destroyed. Stalled during a procedure turn. Impacted ground on wing tip and nose. Aircraft burned. Density altitude 5000 feet.

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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