# NTSB SEA86LA153: Piper PA-25-235, N6490Z, Pullman, WA, June 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1986, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Pullman, WA
- Coordinates: 46.720294, -117.179191 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7203&lon=-117.1792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA153

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF DURING A 180 DEGREE TURN THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A RAPID RATE OF SINK WHICH THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DUMP 140 POUNDS OF WATER, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINES AND THEN STRUCK THE GROUND INVERTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6490Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6490Z-1989-01-19), registration cancelled 1989-01-19, S/N 252010 (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: 25-2010
- Airframe hours: 8685
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Brock Hill, doing business as Dennis Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 13, 1986
- Departed: PULLMAN, WA
- Airport: Staley Airstrip, runway 26, 2,800 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,587 total, 796 in this make and model, 1,570 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860626072179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860626072179A), Jun 26, 1986: Piper PA25235, Pullman, WA, Destroyed. Spray plane encountered a downdraft during takeoff and hit powerline before dumping load.

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.