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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 7, 1985 · Piper PA-25-235 · N7340Z

Wenatchee, WA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Wenatchee, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N7340Z
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA85FA208

AFTER TWO APPLICATION RUNS, PLT APPARENTLY ATTEMPTED TO SHORTEN THE RACE-TRACK PATTERN BY INITIATING THE INBOUND TURN INTO A CANYON. ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB CLEAR OF THE CANYON WALL NEAR COMPLETION OF TURN, BUT LOAD WAS JETTISONED AT THIS POINT AND THE ACFT DESCENDED SHARPLY INTO A SECOND, NARROW CANYON JUST SHORT OF THE OBJECT CROP, WHICH WAS SITUATED ON A PLATEAU, AND IMPACTED TERRAIN, INTENSE GROUND FIRE SUBSEQUENTLY CONSUMED NON-METTALIIC STRUCTURE OF THE ACFT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT IMPACTED WITH HIGH VERTICAL FORCES AND LITTLE FORWARD MOMENTUN. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF ANY MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE IN THE ACFT STRUCTURE, SYSTEMS OR POWERPLANT.

Full Narrative

AFTER TWO APPLICATION RUNS, PLT APPARENTLY ATTEMPTED TO SHORTEN THE RACE-TRACK PATTERN BY INITIATING THE INBOUND TURN INTO A CANYON. ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB CLEAR OF THE CANYON WALL NEAR COMPLETION OF TURN, BUT LOAD WAS JETTISONED AT THIS POINT AND THE ACFT DESCENDED SHARPLY INTO A SECOND, NARROW CANYON JUST SHORT OF THE OBJECT CROP, WHICH WAS SITUATED ON A PLATEAU, AND IMPACTED TERRAIN, INTENSE GROUND FIRE SUBSEQUENTLY CONSUMED NON-METTALIIC STRUCTURE OF THE ACFT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT IMPACTED WITH HIGH VERTICAL FORCES AND LITTLE FORWARD MOMENTUN. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF ANY MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE IN THE ACFT STRUCTURE, SYSTEMS OR POWERPLANT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:50 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN7340Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B2B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data