Piper PA-36-285 accident near Estelline, TX

On October 10, 1993, a Piper PA-36-285 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Estelline, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

October 10, 1993

Place

Estelline, TX

Aircraft

Piper PA-36-285 · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

34.520°N, 100.530°W

NTSB ID

20001211X13553

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On October 10, 1993, at 1537 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-285, N57577, was destroyed near Estelline, Texas, when it impacted vehicles during an aerial application maneuver. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the local aerial application flight. According to the cotton gin manager, the pilot ground surveyed the field that morning. They had discussed utilizing 175 gallons of paraquat dichloride for defoliation of cotton. The operator stated the cotton field was owned by a "CO-OP," of which the pilot was a member. Witnesses reported the following information during personnel interviews. One swath run was completed and during the turn around maneuver, the airplane was observed approaching the cotton field from the southeast. Witnesses reported the winds from the south/southeast at 5 to 10 mph and a Farenheit temperature of 70 degrees. They further said that numerous downdrafts occurred in the vicinity of the cotton gin obstructions. The airplane was observed descending and banking to the left and right when the wing struck a cotton trailer and two trucks parked at the gin. The airplane came to rest on the second truck. A post impact fire occurred. As the pilot released the emergency exit door, he fell to the ground; however, the chemical poured from the hopper and saturated his body prior to being rescued. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION: The airplane came to rest on a measured magnetic heading of 135 degrees (see enclosed diagram for details) on the bed of the cotton truck. T

Probable cause

CLEARANCE NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.