On August 25, 1990, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N9852P) was involved in an aviation accident near Lubbock, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE DURING A TURN-AROUND MANEUVER, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT STALLING INTO THE GROUND. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aerial application airplane struck terrain left wingtip first during a turn-around maneuver, rotated, came to rest 30 ft away, and burned. The operator had previously advised the pilot about reckless behavior.
Accident Description
An aerial application airplane was conducting agricultural spray operations when the pilot completed a swath run and initiated a turn-around maneuver over an adjacent field. During the final portion of the maneuver, the airplane struck the terrain, contacting the ground with the left wingtip first. Upon impact, the aircraft rotated approximately 200 degrees and came to rest about 30 feet from the initial ground contact point. The airplane subsequently burned.
Witness Observations
A witness who observed the airplane during the turn-around maneuver reported that the aircraft went "straight up then down" before impacting the ground.
Operator Comments
The operator of the aerial application company stated that, prior to the flight, he had advised the pilot that he was "getting a bit reckless and taking unnecessary chances."
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage from the impact and subsequent fire.