On October 24, 1992, a Piper PA-25-260 (registration N8675L) operated by Jamestown Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Trenton, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER AIRCRAFT HANDLING WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot conducting low passes over a farm house struck a tree with the left wing and crashed after a steep bank turn, with postimpact fire and no mechanical malfunction found.
Incident Overview
According to witness statements, a pilot was performing a series of low passes over a farm house. Between each pass, the pilot pulled up and changed direction. During these passes, the pilot dispensed some sort of smoke substance.
Accident Sequence
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the left wing of the airplane struck a small tree during a low pass. Witnesses stated that on approximately the fifth low pass, the airplane pulled up in a steep bank turn, then pitched down and impacted the ground. A postimpact ground fire ensued.
Mechanical Examination
Following the accident, investigators found no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The aircraft had no discernible failures or anomalies prior to impact.