MKC86FCD01

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-25-235 · Lenox, IA · May 29, 1986

Accident · FatalFinal report
Date
May 29, 1986, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
Place
Lenox, IA
Injuries
1 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N7029ZPiper PA-25-235
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19860529020349A
Case key
34083

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Analysis

The acft collided with a fence during a takeoff with a full load of chemical pesticide. Collision with the ground resulted in a fire. The plt, who was seriously burned and later died, stated on his way to the hospital that he attempted to dump the acft load but grabbed the flap handle by mistake which extended full flaps. This was the plts third ag operation accident, one previously involved an aborted takeoff and crash off the end of a rwy. The rwy in use on the day of this accident was grass aprx one to two ft deep over all but a 300 ft section of mowed area in mid field that was used by local flyers of radio controlled model acft. The density alt was computed to be 2200 ft and there was thunderstorm activity in the area north of the arpt and about two miles south of the rwy. The plts flt time was not reported and his log books were not located.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with terrain/waterTakeoff - initial climb
Terrain condition - high vegetationFactor
Proper climb rate - not attainedPilot in commandCause
Weather condition - high density altitudeFactor
Clearance - not obtainedPilot in commandCause
Emergency procedure - inaccuratePilot in commandFactor
Lowering of flaps - inadvertentPilot in commandFactor
Load jettison - not attainedPilot in commandFactor
Object - fenceFactor

Aircraft

Registration
N7029Z
Reported as
Piper PA-25-235
Category
Airplane
Serial number
25-27
Airframe hours
5,315
Engine
Lycoming O-540, 235 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Aerial application · Part 137
Operator
Hermes Service Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Restricted (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · February 25, 1986 · 50 hours before
Departed
0Y9 · Lenox, IA
Airport
OY9 · Lenox, runway 36, 1,950 × 125 ft, grass/turf

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
33
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Center

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Variable at 5 knots, gusting 15
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
75 °F, dew point -0 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
LMN, 35 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.