# NTSB SEA98LA097: Piper PA-25-235, N8553L, Blackfoot, ID, June 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 1998, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Blackfoot, ID - Coordinates: 43.270317, -112.560096 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2703&lon=-112.5601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 10, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42799/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA097 ## Probable cause A loss of power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot of the agricultural airplane reported that he experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power during climb after takeoff, about 250 feet above ground. He stated that he dumped his fertilizer load, and attempted to maneuver to a nearby interstate highway for an emergency landing, but lost control of the aircraft prior to ground impact. The airplane was destroyed by collision with terrain and post-crash fire. The reason for the loss of power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 1998, approximately 0745 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 "Pawnee," N8553L, registered to and operated by Western Aviation, Inc., and being flown by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during collision with terrain during an emergency descent following a total power loss on initial climb. The pilot escaped with minor injuries and a post crash fire consumed the airframe. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was departing to apply fertilizer to a field, was to have been operated under 14CFR137. The pilot reported that at 250 feet above ground, after taking off on runway 19 at McCarley Field, Blackfoot, Idaho, he experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power. He reported dumping the fertilizer load, and attempting to maneuver to a nearby interstate highway for an emergency landing, but lost control of the aircraft prior to ground impact. The reason for the loss of power was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8553L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8553L-2000-02-25), registration cancelled 2000-02-25, S/N 25-4973 (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: 25-4973 - Airframe hours: 5512 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Christensen, William, A. - Registered owner: Western Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1998, 80 hours before - Departed: U02 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 10,200 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PIH, 21 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 19980615013609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980615013609A), Jun 15, 1998: Piper PA25235, Blackfoot, ID, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Dropped load. Landed on highway shoulder. Hard landing. Resulted in flip over and fire. (-23)ag aicraft engine lost power shortly… ## Other investigations on N8553L (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA81DYA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81DYA15), Jul 10, 1981: Piper PA-25 (N8553L), Shelley, ID, substantial damage 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.