Summary
On August 03, 2009, a Piper PA-25-235 (N6701Z) was involved in an accident near Royal, IA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the crop during an aerial application maneuver.
The pilot of the aerial application airplane stated that he was about 200 feet above ground level and was lined up about one-half mile from the field he was going to spray. He set a descent angle to clear powerlines. Approximately 30 feet above the crop he began to level off and engaged the spray handle. He said, "I felt the aircraft start to load the wings and then just give-way." The airplane descended into the crops and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the flight. His safety recommendation stated that if a shallower approach angle was used or if the level off maneuver was started higher, the accident may have been prevented.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA483. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6701Z.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the crop during an aerial application maneuver.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the aerial application airplane stated that he was about 200 feet above ground level and was lined up about one-half mile from the field he was going to spray. He set a descent angle to clear powerlines. Approximately 30 feet above the crop he began to level off and engaged the spray handle. He said, "I felt the aircraft start to load the wings and then just give-way." The airplane descended into the crops and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the flight. His safety recommendation stated that if a shallower approach angle was used or if the level off maneuver was started higher, the accident may have been prevented.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA483