Summary
On August 19, 2003, a Piper PA-25 (N4346Y) was involved in an incident near Brandon, WI. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot failed to maintain clearance from the corn crop during an aerial application maneuver. Additional factors were the terrain induced turbulence and the corn crop.
On August 19, 2003, at 1700 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N4346Y, operated by Reabe Flying Service, sustained substantial damaged on impact with a corn crop and terrain near Brandon, Wisconsin, during a spray pass over the field. The commercial pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight departed from Waupun Airport (WI07), Waupun, Wisconsin, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed.
The pilot reported that approximately 70 gallons of chemical remained as he was making the aerial swath before the accident. He reported the winds were from the south at 9 knots gusting to 14 knots, and the temperature was 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI03LA272. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4346Y.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot failed to maintain clearance from the corn crop during an aerial application maneuver. Additional factors were the terrain induced turbulence and the corn crop.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 19, 2003, at 1700 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N4346Y, operated by Reabe Flying Service, sustained substantial damaged on impact with a corn crop and terrain near Brandon, Wisconsin, during a spray pass over the field. The commercial pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight departed from Waupun Airport (WI07), Waupun, Wisconsin, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed.
The pilot reported that approximately 70 gallons of chemical remained as he was making the aerial swath before the accident. He reported the winds were from the south at 9 knots gusting to 14 knots, and the temperature was 88 degrees Fahrenheit. He reported the airplane was descending over a treeline heading southbound when it experienced moderate turbulence. He reported that he was "unable to stop the descent before the airplane made contact with the corn." The airplane continued it's descent and the nose of the airplane impacted the ground and the airplane skidded to a stop. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane prior to the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI03LA272