Piper PA-25-235 accident near New Lisbon, Wisconsin, May 5, 2008
On May 5, 2008 at about 10:34 pm local time, a Piper PA-25-235, registered N4352Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near New Lisbon, Wisconsin. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude during a course reversal at the completion of an agricultural spray run.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 5, 2008 · about 10:34 pm local time
- Place
- New Lisbon, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-25-235 · all PA-25-235s on the register
- Registration
- N4352Y · no longer on the register · serial 25-4852
- 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 aerial application airplane was observed in a steep left turn before it descended into a wooded area located along the edge of the field being sprayed. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the airplane was completing a course reversal after a spray run. The airplane exhibited substantial impact damage and fragmentation, consistent with a descent through a wooded area. The wreckage debris path was consistent with the airplane having a significant lateral velocity during the impact sequence. The investigation revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have prevented the normal operation of the airplane.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 10,323 hours in all; 10,146 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 3, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,652.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 17, 2007; 405.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-B2C5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kaz'S Flying Service, Ltd.
The flight
- Departed from: PVT New Lisbon WI at 10:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from VOK, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.