# NTSB SEA05CA117: Piper PA-25-260, N4768Y, Geraldine, MT, June 12, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 12, 2005, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Geraldine, MT - Coordinates: 47.533054, -110.243614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5331&lon=-110.2436&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 61692 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61692/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA117 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with rising terrain. Rising terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to climb over a low ridge when the airplane encountered "bad air" and the airplane began to sink. The pilot stated he lowered the flaps and applied full power, however the airplane continued to sink and he elected to land the airplane in an effort to avoid approaching power lines. During the off airport precautionary landing attempt, the airplane collided with terrain in a left wing low attitude resulting in substantial damage to the wing assembly and fuselage. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 2005, about 1130 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-260 Pawnee, N4768Y, sustained substantial damage following an off airport precautionary landing attempt near Geraldine, Montana. The airplane is owned by Scribner Ranch, Inc, and was being operated as an aerial application flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 137, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from the Geraldine Airport approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. In a telephone interview, and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to climb over a low ridge when the airplane encountered "bad air" and the airplane began to sink. The pilot stated he lowered the flaps and applied full power, however the airplane continued to sink and he elected to land the airplane in an effort to avoid approaching power lines. During the off airport precautionary landing attempt, the airplane collided with terrain in a left wing low attitude resulting in substantial damage to the wing assembly and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4768Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4768Y-2008-06-19), registration cancelled 2008-06-19, S/N 25-4530, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-4530 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Scribner Ranch, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Geraldine, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 600 total, 38 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20050612009829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050612009829A), Jun 12, 2005: Piper PA25260, Geraldine, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Agricultural aircraft lost lift during spray operation and pilot made an emergency landing onto an upsloping field, the result of which was a hard… ## Other investigations on N4768Y (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 DEN86LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA154), Jun 6, 1986: Piper PA-25-260 (N4768Y), Harve, MT, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.