# NTSB SEA85FA208: Piper PA-25-235, N7340Z, Wenatchee, WA, September 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1985, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.370426, -120.349136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3704&lon=-120.3491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA208

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - performed
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TWO APPLICATION RUNS, PLT APPARENTLY ATTEMPTED TO SHORTEN THE RACE-TRACK PATTERN BY INITIATING THE INBOUND TURN INTO A CANYON. ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB CLEAR OF THE CANYON WALL NEAR COMPLETION OF TURN, BUT LOAD WAS JETTISONED AT THIS POINT AND THE ACFT DESCENDED SHARPLY INTO A SECOND, NARROW CANYON JUST SHORT OF THE OBJECT CROP, WHICH WAS SITUATED ON A PLATEAU, AND IMPACTED TERRAIN, INTENSE GROUND FIRE SUBSEQUENTLY CONSUMED NON-METTALIIC STRUCTURE OF THE ACFT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT IMPACTED WITH HIGH VERTICAL FORCES AND LITTLE FORWARD MOMENTUN. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF ANY MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE IN THE ACFT STRUCTURE, SYSTEMS OR POWERPLANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7340Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7340Z-1986-02-25), registration cancelled 1986-02-25, S/N 25-3290 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-3290
- Airframe hours: 1261
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Inland Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1985, 118 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,621 total, 670 in this make and model, 6,332 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 6 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 19850907064299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850907064299A), Sep 7, 1985: Piper PA25235, Wenatchee, WA, Destroyed. Struck rising terrain during spray run. Bounced over ridge, stalled into valley. Crashed and burned.

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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