Aviation Accident Summary DEN89LA167

WH SULPHUR SPGS, MT, USA

Aircraft #1

N6663Z

PIPER PA-25

Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, SPRAYING WEEDS NEXT TO HILLY TERRAIN. HE RPRTD THAT AS HE WAS IN A RIGHT TURN (LAST SPRAY RUN), THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED AN UNEXPECTED TAILWIND & EXTREME TURBULENCE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT SETTLED & COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER AND INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO MUSH INTO THE GROUND. UNFAVORABLE WIND AND TURBULENCE WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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