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NTSB Report
June 22, 1990 · Piper PA-25-260 · N4988Y
Hazelton, ND
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 22, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Hazelton, ND
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-260
Tail Number
N4988Y
Operator
Midwest Air Center
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN90LA140
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT REPORTED THAT HE STARTED UNDER A WIRE WHILE ON AN AERIAL SPRAYING FLIGHT, BUT COULD REMEMBER NOTHING ELSE. THE OPERATOR SAID THE PLANE WAS MANEUVERING FOR A SPRAY PASS AND CLIMBED INTO AT LEAST THREE POWER LINES, SEVERING TWO AND FRAYING THE THIRD. THE PLANE STRUCK THE GROUND LEFT WING LOW AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE WRECKAGE WAS DESTROYED IN A POSTACCIDENT FIRE. WITNESSES PULLED THE UNCONSCIOUS PILOT FROM THE BURNING WRECKAGE. THE PILOT'S MEDICAL SHOWED A VISION WAIVER AND REQUIRED THE AIRMAN TO WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE THE PILOT WORE CORRECTIVE LENSES DURING THIS FLIGHT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERING.
Full Narrative
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT REPORTED THAT HE STARTED UNDER A WIRE WHILE ON AN AERIAL SPRAYING FLIGHT, BUT COULD REMEMBER NOTHING ELSE. THE OPERATOR SAID THE PLANE WAS MANEUVERING FOR A SPRAY PASS AND CLIMBED INTO AT LEAST THREE POWER LINES, SEVERING TWO AND FRAYING THE THIRD. THE PLANE STRUCK THE GROUND LEFT WING LOW AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE WRECKAGE WAS DESTROYED IN A POSTACCIDENT FIRE. WITNESSES PULLED THE UNCONSCIOUS PILOT FROM THE BURNING WRECKAGE. THE PILOT'S MEDICAL SHOWED A VISION WAIVER AND REQUIRED THE AIRMAN TO WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE THE PILOT WORE CORRECTIVE LENSES DURING THIS FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-25-260
Tail NumberN4988Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMidwest Air Center
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-G1A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO