On July 1, 1983, a Piper PA-25 (registration N6002Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Morgan, MN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an aerial application flight, the pilot experienced soft controls and reduced power. The aircraft failed to climb and struck trees and power lines while turning.
What happened
The aircraft was engaged in an aerial application mission when it collided with trees during a turn. According to the pilot's account, the flight controls felt unusually soft at the time of the incident. Believing the aircraft was entering a stall condition, the pilot reduced the bank angle and lowered the nose. The pilot applied full power while maintaining an indicated airspeed of 85 mph in an attempt to continue level flight. Despite these efforts, the aircraft did not gain altitude. Subsequently, one wing struck trees and some power lines.
The investigation
The source material does not provide specific details regarding mechanical examinations or findings from the investigation phase.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the accident were the reported softness of the flight controls and the aircraft's inability to climb. These issues occurred during a critical phase of aerial application operations, leading to the collision with terrain and obstacles.