Casualties unknown

1999-07-12: Piper PA-25-235 (N4652Y) — Fargo, ND

Fargo, ND, US

On July 12, 1999, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N4652Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Fargo, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that while conducting a low-level agricultural spray run, his aircraft was dragged sideways by grain after he lowered a wing to align with cone markers, causing the landing gear to be torn off.

Incident Description

A pilot provided a written statement describing an accident that occurred during an agricultural spraying flight. The pilot took off from a grass strip at 10:50 a.m. with 50 gallons of water containing dye. The purpose of the flight was to spray the dye while flying over the center of a string to determine swath width and uniformity.

Pilot's Account

The pilot began the swath run approximately 10 feet above the ground, about half a mile north of the string, which was oriented east-west on the west end of the runway. When approximately 300 feet from the string, the pilot spotted orange cone markers indicating the flight path over the center of the string. Attempting to line up with these cones, the pilot lowered a wing into the grain. This action dragged the aircraft sideways, and upon contacting the ground in that attitude, the landing gear was torn off.

The report does not specify the aircraft type, registration, engine count, date, operator, location, occupants, injuries, or weather conditions. No other details were provided.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19192. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.