Piper PA-25-235 N7419Z

Summary

On 22 June 2023 at about 17:15 local time, a Piper PA-25-235 registered N7419Z was involved in an accident near Westhope, North Dakota, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 June 2023 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Westhope, North Dakota, United States

Nearest airport

Westhope Municipal Airport (D64)

Coordinates

48.9095, -101.0207

Aircraft

Piper PA-25-235

Registration

N7419Z

Category

Airplane

Year built

1965

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN23LA255

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control that resulted in an impact with terrain after takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot, who did not hold an airframe and powerplant (A&P) certificate, stated that after he installed the overhauled engine onto the agricultural airplane, he planned on flying the airplane during the accident flight to break the engine in prior to having it inspected and signed off by an A&P mechanic with inspection authorization. There was no record of a current annual inspection of the airplane prior to the flight. The pilot loaded the airplane with 20 gallons of water to test the spray system since he planned on flying for about an hour. During climb after takeoff, the pilot lost control, and the airplane descended and impacted terrain resulting in substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.