Piper PA-25-235 N8846L

Summary

On 18 June 1989 at about 19:45 local time, a Piper PA-25-235 registered N8846L, operated by Richard E Shaw, was involved in an accident near Clayton, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 June 1989 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Clayton, Kansas, United States

Coordinates

39.7297, -100.1694

Aircraft

Piper PA-25-235

Registration

N8846L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Richard E Shaw

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Norcatur → Clayton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MKC89LA137

1 person had minor injuries.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT HAD BEEN CONDUCTING SWATH RUNS IN AN AGRICULTURAL SPRAY OPERATION. HE WAS MAKING A PROCEDURE TURN-AROUND TO FINISH UP THE FIELD WITH THE REMAINING CHEMICAL. ABOUT HALF-WAY THRU THE TURN THE PILOT REPORTEDLY ENCOUNTERED UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ALTITUDE AND IMPACT WITH RISING TERRAIN. THE PILOT REPORTED CHANGING WINDS AND DOWNDRAFTS IN THE AREA DURING THE SWATH RUNS. OFFICAL WX RECORDS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO CONFIRM THE WIND CONDITIONS. NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCY WAS NOTED WITH THE AIRPLANE DURING POST ACCIDENT EXAM.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.