# NTSB SEA86LA159: Piper PA-25-260, N9621P, Rexburg, ID, July 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1986, 08:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Rexburg, ID
- Coordinates: 43.780033, -111.759368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7800&lon=-111.7594&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): 40434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
- Fire, other

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION TURN THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT, LEVELED THE WINGS, ADDED FULL POWER AND DUMPED HIS CHEMICAL LOAD, HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STRUCK THE GROUND IN A HARD FLAT ATTITUDE WHERE IT WAS TOTALLY CONSUMED BY POST IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9621P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9621P-2000-01-24), registration cancelled 2000-01-24, S/N 25-7405784 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-7405784
- Airframe hours: 1460
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory A. Wood
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NEWDALE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 673 total, 132 in this make and model, 71 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19860701031629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860701031629A), Jul 1, 1986: Piper PA25260, Rexburg, ID, Destroyed. The aircraft encountered a downdraft during spraying operations. The pilot was unable to prevent ground impact.

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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