# NTSB MKC86FCD01: Piper PA-25-235, N7029Z, Lenox, IA, May 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1986, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Lenox, IA
- Coordinates: 40.880741, -94.549903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8807&lon=-94.5499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34083
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FCD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34083/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FCD01

## 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

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7029Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-27
- Airframe hours: 5315
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 33; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860529020349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860529020349A), May 29, 1986: Piper PA25235, Lenox, IA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck fence on full load takeoff, fire erupted. Tried dump load. Got flap handle by mistake. Tall grass on runway.

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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