# NTSB OAK78FVD20: Piper PA-25, N8623L, Cotati, CA, February 26, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 26, 1978
- Place: Cotati, CA · COTATI, CA
- Location: 38.3285° N, 122.7100° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cotati, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3285&lon=-122.7100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 20, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78FVD20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVD20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0067  78/2/26  NR.COTATI,CA          PIPER PA-25         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 4570
        TIME - 0750                    N8623L              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 620 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         COTATI,CA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 4320                       KIND OF OPERATION - FERTILIZING (DUST)
          KIND OF CROP - PASTURE                                   TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - INSTALLED                                    TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT
          TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT                                 ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  250
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM                          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- LEFT WING STRUCK UTILITY POWER LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8623L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8623L-1982-01-05), registration cancelled 1982-01-05, S/N 25-5053 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Pasture Strip

## 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 19780226002139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780226002139A), Feb 26, 1978: Piper PA25235, Cotati, CA, Destroyed. Left wing struck utility power lines.

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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