# NTSB SEA85LA197: Piper PA-25-23-5B, N76942, American Falls, ID, August 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1985, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: American Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.720924, -112.990127 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7209&lon=-112.9901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA197

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE DEPARTING INTO BRIGHT MORNING SUN FROM A ROAD TO SPRAY CROPS, THE PILOT PULLED UP TO AVOID POWER LINES. A DEPARTURE STALL WAS THEN ENTERED INTO. THE PILOT DUMPED HIS CHEMICAL PRIOR TO STRIKING THE GROUND HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N76942 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-23-5B (PA-25-23-5)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-3852
- Airframe hours: 3786
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ag Aero
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1985, 25 hours before
- Departed: NONE, AMERICAN FALLS, ID
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,176 total, 355 in this make and model, 1,044 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg

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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