# NTSB SEA96LA132: Piper PA-36-285, N9970P, Hazleton, ID, June 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1996, 09:58 local (15:58 UTC) - Place: Hazleton, ID - Coordinates: 42.580963, -114.06948 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5810&lon=-114.0695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42400 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42400/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA132 ## Probable cause partial loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). Factors relating to the accident were: high density altitude; the pilot's delay in dumping the entire chemical load, when he first perceived a power loss; and rough/uneven terrain in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported an approximate 15% reduction in power during the takeoff; however, by that time, the aircraft was at the go/no-go point, and the pilot felt he had sufficient airspeed to continue. Shortly after turning left from the runway heading, the engine surged. The pilot initiated a partial dump of the 200 gallon chemical load, but was unable to achieve a positive climb rate. He then initiated dumping of the remainder of the chemical load, during which, the main landing gear contacted furrows of a plowed field and collapsed, and the aircraft slid to a stop. The density altitude was approximately 5,400 feet at the time. During examination of the engine, no reason was found for the partial loss of power. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 1996, approximately 0958 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-36-285, N9970P, registered to and being flown by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during an inflight collision with terrain shortly after takeoff, at the Hazelton airport, Hazelton, Idaho. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was to have been an aerial application, was to have been operated under 14CFR137. The pilot reported that on takeoff from the 3,000 foot gravel runway 24 he perceived an approximate 15% reduction of power but decided to continue the takeoff as he had reached 60 miles per hour at his "Go/No Go" point. He turned south, crossing Interstate 84 during which the engine surged briefly and he began dumping a portion of his chemical load. He reported that he was unable to achieve a positive climb rate and initiated dumping the remaining chemical load during which the aircraft's main landing gear contacted a plowed field approximately 30 degrees to the orientation of the furrows (refer to attached photos). The main landing gear separated from the aircraft and the aircraft came to rest. The pilot reported departing Hazelton with 200 gallons of chemical and 32 gallons of fuel. Density altitude was approximately 5,400 feet. A compression check of all eight cylinders was accomplished on July 8, 1996, by personnel from Snake River Aircraft Maintenance in Twin Falls, and revealed no mechanical discontinuity within the engine (compression findings noted below). Additionally, the exhaust stacks were examined and no excessive buildup of sooting or carbon was noted, and approximately seven gallons of fuel was drained from one fuel tank (the opposite tank was observed to have been breached). Cylinder: Performance: #1 72/80 #2 40/80 leaking by rings #3 40/80 leaking by exhaust #4 71/80 #5 42/80 leaking by rings #6 60/80 #7 68/80 #8 66/80 The pilot failed to respond to two requests for the completion of NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9970P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9970P-2008-03-20), registration cancelled 2008-03-20, S/N 36-7560082, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-36-285 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 6-285-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-6-285-a) (registry code 17038, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7560082 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Bob'S Flying Service - Registered owner: Newsom, Robert V. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: U94 - Airport: U94, Hazelton Municipal, runway 24, 3,000 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,621 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TWF, 17 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 19960620047679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960620047679A), Jun 20, 1996: Piper PA36285, Hazelton, ID, Substantial damage. (-16) On 06/20/96, N9970P, Piper PA-36, departed Hazelton municipal airport enroute for local spraying operation. Pilot started at 60 mph on take-off roll,… 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.