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June 18, 2011 · Piper PA-25-235 · N7018Z

Faith, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 18, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Faith, SD
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N7018Z
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA405

After completing an agricultural spray run, the pilot attempted to make a tight, climbing turn without extending out over an adjacent river bank. As he started the climbing turn, the airplane stalled and there was not enough altitude to recover. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage. The river bank was about 250 feet above the height of the field. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He commented that making a wider turn, outside of the river bank, might have prevented the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper turn while maneuvering during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall at low altitude.

Full Narrative

On June 18, 2011, about 0730 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7018Z, was substantially damage during an in-flight collision with terrain near Faith, South Dakota. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agricultural application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight departed Faith Municipal Airport (D07) about 0700. The pilot reported that after completing an agricultural spray run he thought he could turn around without extending out over an adjacent river bank. As he climbed to initiate the turn, the airplane began to stall. There was not enough altitude to recover and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. He commented that the river bank was about 250 feet above the height of the field, and that the wind may have changed due to the terrain. He stated that there were no problems with the airplane prior to the accident. He added that making a wider turn, outside of the river bank, might have prevented the accident. The wind at D07, located about 15 miles northwest of the accident site, at 0656, was from 190 degrees at 13 knots. At 0756, the wind was from 160 degrees at 11 knots, with gusts to 17 knots. The pilot reported a south wind at 13 knots and no wind gusts.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 MDT
Nearest AirportFaith Municipal (15nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN7018Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 SERIES · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 11 kt, gusting 16 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 50
Altimeter29.86 inHg
Observation Time13:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data