# NTSB MKC85LA091: Piper PA-25-235C, N8624L, Grenola, KS, April 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1985, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Grenola, KS
- Coordinates: 37.350669, -96.440582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3507&lon=-96.4406&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): 33932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33932/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vlof) - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - level off - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING DURING A SWATH TO A FIELD, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT WAS OPERATING HIS ACFT FOR APRX 1/2 HR PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF PWR. THE PLT STATES HE VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL LEVEL. AN INSPECTION OF THE ACFT ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. THE PLT STATED HE COULD NO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLT AND NOSED THE ACFT OVER TO AVOID STALLING. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND WAS DESTROYED BY POST IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8624L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8624L-1987-12-16), registration cancelled 1987-12-16, S/N 255055 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235C
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5055
- Airframe hours: 2520
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Frank G. Liebau
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1985, 11 hours before
- Departed: 2K6, MOLINE, KS
- Destination: GRENOLA, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,570 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ICT, 50 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 19850428016669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850428016669A), Apr 28, 1985: Piper PA25235, Grenola, KS, Destroyed. Pulled up from spray run and engine quit. Nosed into field and burned. Pilot thought he had enough fuel for flight.

## Other investigations on N8624L (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 MKC83LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA097), Apr 29, 1983: Piper PA-25-235 (N8624L), Grenola, KS, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW79DPJ20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPJ20), May 29, 1979: Piper PA-25 (N8624L), Tonkawa, 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.

---
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.