# NTSB SEA85LA149: Piper PA-25-235-C, N7396Z, Wenatchee, WA, June 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1985, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.369243, -120.350975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3692&lon=-120.3510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuel system,filter - deteriorated (cause)
  - fuel system,screen - dirty(foggy) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATIONS MANEUVER THE ENGINE CEASED OPERATING AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN ORCHARD IN BETWEEN APPLE TREE ROWS. ENGINE AND AIRCRAFT INSPECTION COULD NOT REVEAL ANY ABNORMALITIES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A VERY DIRTY, PARTIALLY CLOGGED MAIN FUEL FILTER. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7396Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7396Z-2013-10-24), registration cancelled 2013-10-24, S/N 25-3358, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235-C (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: 25-3358
- Airframe hours: 4328
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B25-5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Inland Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1985, 66 hours before
- Departed: NONE, WENATCHEE, WA
- Destination: NONE, WENATCHEE, WA
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: center; flight hours: 6,551 total, 600 in this make and model, 6,262 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °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 19850625028239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850625028239A), Jun 25, 1985: Piper PA25235, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit without warning after spray run. Landed in an orchard. Main fuel screen contaminated. Needle valve worn.

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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