1990-08-06: Piper PA-25-235 — Ulen, MN

Casualties unknown • Ulen, MN, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT TO AVOID THE INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO A STALL/SPIN AT LOW ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO OBSERVE CROP DEVELOPMENT. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED AT A LOW ALTITUDE. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT DOES NOT RECALL THE EXACT REASON FOR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERS WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDING WING AND NOSE DOWN INTO THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NOTHING OF A MECHANICAL NATURE THAT WOULD HAVE HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE FLIGHT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-08-06 Piper PA-25-235 accident near Ulen, MN?

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO OBSERVE CROP DEVELOPMENT. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED AT A LOW ALTITUDE. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT DOES NOT RECALL THE EXACT REASON FOR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERS WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDING WING AND NOSE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-08-06 involved a Piper PA-25-235, registration N82521, at Ulen, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT TO AVOID THE INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO A STALL/SPIN AT LOW ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23918. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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