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NTSB Report
August 6, 1990 · Piper PA-25-235 · N82521
Ulen, MN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Ulen, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N82521
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI90DER05
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO OBSERVE CROP DEVELOPMENT. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED AT A LOW ALTITUDE. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT DOES NOT RECALL THE EXACT REASON FOR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERS WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDING WING AND NOSE DOWN INTO THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NOTHING OF A MECHANICAL NATURE THAT WOULD HAVE HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE FLIGHT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT TO AVOID THE INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO A STALL/SPIN AT LOW ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO OBSERVE CROP DEVELOPMENT. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED AT A LOW ALTITUDE. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT DOES NOT RECALL THE EXACT REASON FOR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERS WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDING WING AND NOSE DOWN INTO THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NOTHING OF A MECHANICAL NATURE THAT WOULD HAVE HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:22 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN82521
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-GIA5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO