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NTSB Report
May 4, 1983 · Piper PA-25-235 · N4709Y
Healdsburg, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Healdsburg, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N4709Y
Operator
Empire Crop Dusters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83LA213
BEFORE STARTING HIS DUSTING OPERATION, THE PLT HAD OBSERVED THE GRAPE VINEYARD & MADE PLANS TO BEGIN ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. HE REPORTED OBSERVING THE POWER LINES THAT WERE SUSPENDED ACROSS THE VINEYARD. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT NOTICE THE ANCHOR WIRE THAT WAS LOCATED BENEATH THE POWER LINES. THE WIRE EXTENDED APRX 600 FT FROM A TOWER ON A HILL TO A POLE IN THE VINEYARD. DURING A SWATH RUN UNDER THE POWER LINES, THE ACFT STRUCK THE ANCHOR WIRE, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN WHEN SULFER DUST SPILLED ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Full Narrative
BEFORE STARTING HIS DUSTING OPERATION, THE PLT HAD OBSERVED THE GRAPE VINEYARD & MADE PLANS TO BEGIN ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. HE REPORTED OBSERVING THE POWER LINES THAT WERE SUSPENDED ACROSS THE VINEYARD. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT NOTICE THE ANCHOR WIRE THAT WAS LOCATED BENEATH THE POWER LINES. THE WIRE EXTENDED APRX 600 FT FROM A TOWER ON A HILL TO A POLE IN THE VINEYARD. DURING A SWATH RUN UNDER THE POWER LINES, THE ACFT STRUCK THE ANCHOR WIRE, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN WHEN SULFER DUST SPILLED ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN4709Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEmpire Crop Dusters
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 54 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO