On August 31, 1983, a Piper PA-25-260 (registration N7606Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Lamar, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an aerial application maneuver, which may have been due to physiological factors given his reported amnesia regarding the event. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed during an aerial application maneuver on flat terrain while the pilot was turning after a second spray run. The pilot reported no memory of the event.
What happened
The aircraft collided with the ground while conducting an aerial application maneuver over flat terrain. According to the pilot, he had just completed his second spray run and was in the process of making a turn when the impact occurred. Following the crash, a fire ignited due to a fuel spill; however, the blaze was extinguished by chemicals released from the ruptured hopper.
The investigation
During the post-accident interview, the pilot stated that he did not recall any events following the completion of the second spray run. This lack of memory suggests a possible loss of consciousness or incapacitation prior to the collision.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an aerial application maneuver, which may have been due to physiological factors given his reported amnesia regarding the event.