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NTSB Report
June 18, 1982 · Piper PA-25-235 · N8544L
Ripley, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 18, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ripley, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N8544L
Operator
J Birchfield
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82DA171
WHEN THE PILOT ARRIVED TO SPRAY THE FIELD FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE SAW POWERLINES ALONG A ROAD AND SAW POLES ON BOTH SIDES OF A CREEK. HE ASSUMED THAT ALL OF THE LINES FOLLOWED THE ROAD. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT A POWERLINE CROSSED THE NARROW FIELD THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO SPRAY. THE FIRST SWATH RUN WAS STARTED BY CROSSING OVER A BLUFF. AS THE PILOT BEGAN TO SPRAY, HE SAW THE POWERLINE AND DOVE TO AVOID A COLLISION. REPORTEDLY, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED INTO THE WINGS AND FUSELAGE.
Full Narrative
WHEN THE PILOT ARRIVED TO SPRAY THE FIELD FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE SAW POWERLINES ALONG A ROAD AND SAW POLES ON BOTH SIDES OF A CREEK. HE ASSUMED THAT ALL OF THE LINES FOLLOWED THE ROAD. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT A POWERLINE CROSSED THE NARROW FIELD THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO SPRAY. THE FIRST SWATH RUN WAS STARTED BY CROSSING OVER A BLUFF. AS THE PILOT BEGAN TO SPRAY, HE SAW THE POWERLINE AND DOVE TO AVOID A COLLISION. REPORTEDLY, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED INTO THE WINGS AND FUSELAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN8544L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJ Birchfield
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B2B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0