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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

May 23, 1989 · Piper PA-36-300 · N82644

Agar, SD

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Agar, SD
Aircraft
Piper PA-36-300
Tail Number
N82644
Operator
Brett Barber
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN89DTK01

THE PILOT COMPLETED A SMOKE DISPENSING RUN FROM WEST TO EAST ALONG THE NORTH EDGE OF A FIELD TO BE SPRAYED. THERE IS A POWERLINE ALONG THE NORTH EDGE OF THE FIELD. UPON COMPLETION OF THE SMOKE RUN THE PILOT EXECUTED A LEFT TURNAROUND. AT THE COMPLETION OF THE TURNAROUND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE POWERLINE AND CRASHED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WITH THE POWERLINES. THE POWERLINE IS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT COMPLETED A SMOKE DISPENSING RUN FROM WEST TO EAST ALONG THE NORTH EDGE OF A FIELD TO BE SPRAYED. THERE IS A POWERLINE ALONG THE NORTH EDGE OF THE FIELD. UPON COMPLETION OF THE SMOKE RUN THE PILOT EXECUTED A LEFT TURNAROUND. AT THE COMPLETION OF THE TURNAROUND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE POWERLINE AND CRASHED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-36-300
Tail NumberN82644
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBrett Barber
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 5 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data