# NTSB MKC89LA132: Piper PA-25-235, N7450Z, Scandia, KS, May 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Scandia, KS
- Coordinates: 39.820312, -97.629341 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8203&lon=-97.6293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA132

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED AND SMALL TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD COMPLETED AERIAL APPLICATION AND BECAME LOST WHILE EN ROUTE BACK TO HIS BASE OF OPERATION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SMALL TREES AND THEN THE TERRAIN, AND WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7450Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7450Z-2017-10-26), registration cancelled 2017-10-26, S/N 25-3440, built 1965 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-3440
- Airframe hours: 5739
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Banner, Inc.
- Registered owner: Banner Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1988, 40 hours before
- Departed: RPB, BELLEVILLE, KS
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 938 total, 603 in this make and model, 938 as pilot in command, 252 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNK, 15 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 19890531015639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890531015639A), May 31, 1989: Piper PA25235, Scandia, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot became lost returning to base after spray operation. Ran out of fuel. Crashed into trees on forced landing.

## Other investigations on N7450Z (1)

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 MKC75FCJ15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCJ15), Jul 30, 1974: Piper PA-25 (N7450Z), Mitchell, NE, 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.

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