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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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July 2, 1983 · Piper PA-18-150 · N6850Z

Wheatland, WY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Wheatland, WY
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N6850Z
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN83FA156

During an aerial application maneuver, the acft collided with the ground. An exam of the wreckage indicated that it impacted in a steep nose down attitude while rotating to the left. The flaps were found extended 25 deg & the airspeed gage was found indicating 55 kts. The T-handle for dumping the chemical load was found in the stowed position & had not been activated. The fuel selector was positioned to the right fuel tank & both fuel tanks were found with fuel remaining. Flt control continuity was established & the throttle was found in the full forward position. Neither the plt nor the owner possessed a certificate to conduct aerial applications. Also, there was no record that the plt had obtained knowledge & skill test, required by 14 CFR 137. The plt had been issued a 2nd class medical certificate on 10/23/79 with a limitation to wear corrective lenses. However, no glasses or contact lenses were found. The density alt was approx 7200 ft. Reportedly, the winds were strong & gusty.

Full Narrative

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT IT IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHILE ROTATING TO THE LEFT. THE FLAPS WERE FOUND EXTENDED 25 DEG & THE AIRSPEED GAGE WAS FOUND INDICATING 55 KTS. THE T-HANDLE FOR DUMPING THE CHEMICAL LOAD WAS FOUND IN THE STOWED POSITION & HAD NOT BEEN ACTIVATED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK & BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND WITH FUEL REMAINING. FLT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED & THE THROTTLE WAS FOUND IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION. NEITHER THE PLT NOR THE OWNER POSSESSED A CERTIFICATE TO CONDUCT AERIAL APPLICATIONS. ALSO, THERE WAS NO RECORD THAT THE PLT HAD OBTAINED KNOWLEDGE & SKILL TEST, REQUIRED BY 14 CFR 137. THE PLT HAD BEEN ISSUED A 2ND CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ON 10/23/79 WITH A LIMITATION TO WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES. HOWEVER, NO GLASSES OR CONTACT LENSES WERE FOUND. THE DENSITY ALT WAS APPROX 7200 FT. REPORTEDLY, THE WINDS WERE STRONG & GUSTY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:36 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN6850Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 11 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data