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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

June 28, 1996 · Piper PA-36-375 · N2459X

Windfall, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 28, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Windfall, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-36-375
Tail Number
N2459X
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI96LA224

The airplane was en route to disperse chemicals on a farm field, when it was observed to pitch up, turn left and impact the terrain. The airplane impacted the terrain about 100 yards short of where a 50 foot transmission line crossed its path. The pilot did not have aeronautical charts with him and was using plat maps to locate the farm.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering to avoid an obstruction (transmission line), which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. His lack of familiarity with the geographic area was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On June 28, 1996, at 1240 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-36-375, N2459X, was destroyed by ground impact and post crash fire following a collision with the terrain, near Windfall, Indiana. The accident occurred while the airplane was en route to a farm field to disperse chemicals when the accident occurred. The pilot suffered fatal injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Greentown, Indiana, about 1220. The manager of the fertilizer company the pilot was working for, said the pilot did not have aeronautical charts of the area. Prior to the flight he borrowed plat maps of the area, in order to locate the farm. An eyewitness told investigators that he heard the airplane approaching, heading in a direction which would have taken him to the field to be sprayed. He said he saw the airplane pull up abruptly, followed by a sharp left turn to a nose down attitude. He then lost sight of the airplane behind a house. An on-scene investigation revealed that about 100 yards from the accident site was a high tension power line running across the flight patch of the accident airplane. The power lines were visible from the accident site. The wires were about 50 feet above the ground. An examination of the airplane failed to reveal any anomalies other than those attributed to the impact and fire. A post mortem examination of the pilot was conducted on July 1, 1996, at the Indiana University School of Medicine. No preexisting pathology was found during the autopsy. A toxicological examination of specimens from the pilot were conducted and were negative for the drugs screened.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:40 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-36-375
Tail NumberN2459X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-720-D1CD · Reciprocating · 375
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data