# NTSB SEA85LA152: Piper PA-25-235, N6647Z, Burns, OR, June 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1985, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Burns, OR
- Coordinates: 43.590583, -118.889305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5906&lon=-118.8893&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
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - aerial application
- Fire/explosion, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AERIAL APPLICATIONS THE PILOT CLEARED A RISE, GOT A DOWN DRAFT, STRUCK TREES AND THEN STALLED STRIKING THE GROUND WITH LITTLE FORWARD MOTION. AN INTENSE EXPLOSION AND FIRE FOLLOWED. THE FIRE ORIGIN WAS IN THE AREA OF THE FIBERGLASS FUEL TANK. AN OPTIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT WITH A RUBBER FUEL CELL LINER HAS BEEN AVAILABLE FOR YEARS FOR THIS AIRCRAFT, BUT THIS AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE ORIGINAL FIBERGLASS FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6647Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6647Z-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 25-2245, built 1962 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 252245
- Airframe hours: 3881
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Abraham L. Hawley, III
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 1985
- Departed: BURNS, OR
- Destination: BURNS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,521 total, 1,521 in this make and model, 1,205 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNO, 32 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 19850627028669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850627028669A), Jun 27, 1985: Piper PA25235, Burns, OR, Destroyed. While spraying, aircraft came over a rise and stalled. Struck trees, ground 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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