# NTSB SEA96LA167: Piper PA-25-235, N9624P, Cornelius, OR, July 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1996, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Cornelius, OR
- Coordinates: 45.519561, -123.039428 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5196&lon=-123.0394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA167

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and his failure to see-and-avoid the obstruction (inadequate visual lookout).  The transmission wire was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was spraying a field near the departure airport. On the first run, he pulled up over powerlines at the end of the field, due to a car that was passing by. During the second spray run, the airplane hit a transmission cable near the end of the field and crashed. The pilot reported that he was not aware that the cable was there until just before impact.

## Factual narrative

On July 25, 1996, approximately 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N9624P, operated by Stevens Flying Service, hit a cable while spraying a field near Cornelius, OR.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured.  The 14 CFR 137 flight had departed a private landing area near Hillsboro, OR earlier in the day.

FAA inspectors who went to the scene of the accident stated that the aircraft wreckage was laying near broken wires and poles on the south side of the field that the pilot had been spraying.  In the pilot's accident report he stated that he was not aware that the cable was there until just before he hit it.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9624P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9624P-1997-10-03), registration cancelled 1997-10-03, S/N 257405790 (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: 25-7405790
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Donald Leon Stevens
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1996, 48 hours before
- Departed: HIO, HILLSBORO, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 12,000 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIO, 5 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 19960725025959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960725025959A), Jul 25, 1996: Piper PA25235, Mulino, OR, Substantial damage. Struck cable on a spray run. Pilot unaware of cable. Lack of pre survey of spray field.

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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