# NTSB SEA84LA208: Piper PA-25-235, N6474L, Shelley, ID, August 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1984, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Shelley, ID
- Coordinates: 43.339797, -112.069641 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3398&lon=-112.0696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS EN ROUTE TO SPRAY A LOCAL FIELD WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. HE DIVERTED TO AN AG STRIP NEARBY, BUT THE ENGINE CEASED OPERATION PRIOR TO REACHING THE STRIP. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN IRRIGATION PIVOT DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED BY A POST CRASH FIRE. NO REASON FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE COULD BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6474L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-5484
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: William A Christenson
- Registered owner: William Christenson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: SHELLEY, ID
- Destination: SHELLEY, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,400 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 4,210 as pilot in command, 315 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19840821042319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840821042319A), Aug 21, 1984: Piper PA25235, Shelley, ID, Destroyed. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine began to run rough. Fuel tank contained auto fuel.

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.
