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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 8, 1994 · Piper PA-25-260 · N9561P

Crosby, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 8, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Crosby, ND
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-260
Tail Number
N9561P
Operator
Melby Spraying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA223

THE PILOT OF THE AGRICULTURAL SPRAY PLANE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM HIS ROUGH, TURF FARM STRIP. HE SAID HE FELT THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WHEEL 'DROP IN A RIDGE' DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND THAT THE SPRAY BOOM SUBSEQUENTLY CAUGHT IN THE WHEAT BORDERING THE RUNWAY. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO THE WHEAT FIELD. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE WERE CLAIMED OR DISCOVERED.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors associated with the accident are the rough runway, and the pilot's improper preflight planning.

Full Narrative

On July 8, 1994, about 1515 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25 airplane, N9561P, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from a private airstrip in Crosby, North Dakota. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from the narrow airstrip with an empty chemical hopper for a local flight. He wrote in his report to the NTSB that the north/south oriented turf runway he selected for takeoff was much rougher than the east/west runway, but that the twenty knot prevailing wind from the north favored a takeoff to the north. During the takeoff roll, the pilot said that he felt the left main wheel "drop in a ridge" and that the spray boom subsequently caught in the adjacent wheat crop. The pilot lost directional control, and the airplane went into the wheat field.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 MDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway0
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-260
Tail NumberN9561P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMelby Spraying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-G2A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data