On May 5, 1984, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N90856) operated by Raymond M. Harris was involved in an aviation accident near Jesup, GA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported an engine power loss after finishing a spray run. The aircraft collided with trees during a forced landing. No mechanical issues were found, and the pilot verified he moved the dispensing control, not the throttle.
Accident Summary
A pilot was conducting agricultural spraying operations when the engine lost power. The pilot had completed a swath run and was turning off the spray system and pulling up when the power loss occurred. The aircraft subsequently collided with trees during the forced landing.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that after turning off the chemical dispensing system and initiating a climb, the engine ceased to produce power. He reported that he looked down and confirmed that he had moved the dispensing control lever rather than the throttle. The throttle, mixture, and dispensing controls are all located on the left side of the cockpit and move forward and aft.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the accident, no mechanical discrepancies or malfunctions were found in the aircraft's engine or control systems. The investigation did not identify any pre-existing conditions that could have caused the power loss.