CHI99LA233

Factual narrative

On July 12, 1999, at 2025 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N4590Y, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain after take off from runway 13 (2,230 feet X 100 feet/dry turf) at McVille Municipal Airport, near McVille, North Dakota. The pilot reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The airplane was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot stated that he had completed two previous flights earlier in the day. He said that on the accident flight he had about 15 gallons of fuel and 110 to 120 gallons of chemical spray on board. He stated that the airplane departed and lifted off at the same point as the two previous flights. He said that on climb out he made a shallow bank to the right. He said that the airplane was downwind of some grain elevators. The pilot said that the airplane had started to lose lift and altitude. He dumped the airplane's chemical load. After dumping the load, he said that he still would not have enough time to recover because of the grain elevators coming up in front of him and the oil company to the south. He said that there was a ditch in his flight path and that he decided to put the airplane down there without hurting anyone on the ground. The plane came to rest approximately 100 feet from its impact point. The pilot stated that the wings, landing gear, engine, hopper, and fuel tank were damaged in the "crash". The pilot stated that there were no mechanical or engine problems prior to the accident flight. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed an on-scene inspection of the wreckage. The inspection revealed no preimpact anomalies. At 2035, the Devils Lake Municipal Airport weather observation was: Wind 110 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 26 degrees C; dew point 17 degrees C; altimeter 29.83 inches of mercury. On the pilot's third takeoff of the day, the airplane departed the same as the two previous flights. The airplane was downwind of some grain elevators. The airplane had started to lose lift and altitude. He dumped the airplane's chemical load and he said he still would not have enough time to recover because of obstructions. He said that there was a ditch in his flight path and that he decided to put the airplane down there without hurting anyone on the ground. The pilot stated the wings, landing gear, engine, hopper, and fuel tank were damaged in the 'crash'. The wreckage was inspected and no preimpact anomalies were found. The Devils Lake Municipal Airport weather at 2035 was: Wind 110 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 26 degrees C; dew point 17 degrees C; altimeter 29.83 inches of mercury. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12