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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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September 23, 1988 · Piper PA-25-235 · N7781Z

Princess Anne, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Princess Anne, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N7781Z
Operator
Agri-Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO88LA084

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SPRAYED APRX 1/2 OF THE SOYBEAN FIELD WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO FILL THE COCKPIT. HE SHUT OFF THE SPRAY, TURNED OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND OPENED THE FRESH AIR VENTS. HE THEN LOOKED BACK AT THE TAIL SECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AND NOTED THAT THE AREA NEAR THE BATTERY WAS GLOWING RED AND EMITTING SMOKE. HE THEN DECIDED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING FEARING THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD CATCH FIRE IF THE FLIGHT WAS CONTINUED. THE LANDING WAS MADE ONTO A CURVED DIRT ROAD. WHILE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A TURN, THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A DIRT BANK AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED INTO A DITCH ALONG THE ROAD. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT BATTERY CABLE WAS CORRODED, SHORTED OUT AND WAS BEGINNING TO BURN.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SPRAYED APRX 1/2 OF THE SOYBEAN FIELD WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO FILL THE COCKPIT. HE SHUT OFF THE SPRAY, TURNED OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND OPENED THE FRESH AIR VENTS. HE THEN LOOKED BACK AT THE TAIL SECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AND NOTED THAT THE AREA NEAR THE BATTERY WAS GLOWING RED AND EMITTING SMOKE. HE THEN DECIDED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING FEARING THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD CATCH FIRE IF THE FLIGHT WAS CONTINUED. THE LANDING WAS MADE ONTO A CURVED DIRT ROAD. WHILE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A TURN, THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A DIRT BANK AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED INTO A DITCH ALONG THE ROAD. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT BATTERY CABLE WAS CORRODED, SHORTED OUT AND WAS BEGINNING TO BURN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN7781Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAgri-Air
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B2B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 6 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data