Piper PA-25-235 accident near Tyler, Minnesota, July 28, 2023
On July 28, 2023 at about 4:02 pm local time, a 1969 Piper PA-25-235, registered N7094Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Tyler, Minnesota (Tyler Municipal Airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper flap position during takeoff, which resulted in degraded climb performance and a collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 2023 · about 4:02 pm local time
- Place
- Tyler, Minnesota · Tyler Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-25-235, built 1969 · all PA-25-235s on the register
- Registration
- N7094Z · no longer on the register · serial 25-5052
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot attempted the takeoff with the flaps in the half or first notch position. Unable to rotate during the takeoff roll, the pilot selected the full flap position, and the agricultural airplane lifted off the 2,500-ft long turf airstrip about 150 feet before the end of the runway. The airplane was unable to climb out of ground effect and contacted corn stalks that were located past the end of the runway. The airplane descended into the vegetation and came to rest nose down and upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. According to the airplane owner’s handbook, a takeoff distance of about 1,370 feet was required to clear a 50-foot obstacle with the sprayer configuration. The handbook recommended that the wing flaps be retracted at all times during takeoff.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Trailing edge flaps › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,126 hours in all; 837 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 1,070 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 21, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,029 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 4, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-B2-B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 63Y Tyler MN at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 2,517 ft by 160 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 am from KMML, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMML 281556Z AUTO 03008KT 10SM CLR 26/22 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP137 T02610217 PNO $=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on October 5, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pawnee Owner's Handbook Excerpts | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.