# NTSB MKC87DCQ03: Piper PA-36, N9935P, Nickerson, KS, July 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1987, 07:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Nickerson, KS
- Coordinates: 38.139236, -98.079444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1392&lon=-98.0794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87DCQ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87DCQ03

## 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
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER A SWATH RUN TO THE EAST, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP & BEGIN TURNING BACK TO THE WEST. THE WITNESS THEN SAW A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE. SHE DID NOT SEE SPRAY COMING FROM THE ACFT DRG THE LAST SWATH RUN, ALTHOUGH HER VISION WAS LIMITEDBY FOLIAGE & BLDGS. ALSO, NO INTERUPTION OF ENGINE POWER WAS NOTED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. ACCORDING TO FAA MED RECORDS, THE PLT HAD A TOTAL FLT TIME OF 8400 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9935P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9935P-1989-06-21), registration cancelled 1989-06-21, S/N 367560046 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7560046
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Lowell D. Strickler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1987
- Departed: HUTCHINSON, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: HUT, 7 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 19870721038819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870721038819A), Jul 21, 1987: Piper PA36285, Nickerson, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed and burned after a pullup from a spray run. No witnesses.

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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