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NTSB Report
July 11, 1990 · Piper PA-25-235 · N6763Z
Pleasant Valley, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Pleasant Valley, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N6763Z
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90FA250
THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT THE TOW PLANE WAS DIRTY SO HE WASHED IT. THE PILOT FAILED TO SECURE THE TWO ENGINE COWL DOORS. DURING INITIAL CLIMB, WITH A GLIDER IN TOW, THE DOORS BEGAN FLOPPING UP AND DOWN. THE GLIDER PILOT OBSERVED THE MISHAP, RELEASED THE TOW LINE AND SAFELY LANDED. THE TOW PLANE PILOT REVERSED COURSE TO RETURN FOR LANDING. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT WHILE REVERSING COURSE THE AIRPLANE'S PITCH ATTITUDE STEEPENED. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SPUN UNTIL CRASHING ON DESERT TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE AIRSTRIP.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN INADVERTENT SPIN AFTER FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS INCLUDE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, AND AN IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED LAP BELT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT THE TOW PLANE WAS DIRTY SO HE WASHED IT. THE PILOT FAILED TO SECURE THE TWO ENGINE COWL DOORS. DURING INITIAL CLIMB, WITH A GLIDER IN TOW, THE DOORS BEGAN FLOPPING UP AND DOWN. THE GLIDER PILOT OBSERVED THE MISHAP, RELEASED THE TOW LINE AND SAFELY LANDED. THE TOW PLANE PILOT REVERSED COURSE TO RETURN FOR LANDING. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT WHILE REVERSING COURSE THE AIRPLANE'S PITCH ATTITUDE STEEPENED. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SPUN UNTIL CRASHING ON DESERT TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE AIRSTRIP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:25 MST
Nearest AirportPleasant Valley (0nm N)
Runway23L
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width120 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN6763Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B2B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 4 kt
Visibility70 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT