Piper PA-25-235 accident near Blackwell, Oklahoma, July 21, 1997
On July 21, 1997 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-25-235, registered N8784L, was substantially damaged in an accident near Blackwell, Oklahoma. 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
partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors relating to the accident were: the high vegetation and ditch in the emergency landing area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 1997 · about 4:30 pm local time · cases in 1997
- Place
- Blackwell, Oklahoma · 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 · all PA-25-235s on the register
- Registration
- N8784L · registry record · serial 25-5267
- 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 reported that after takeoff from a private strip, at approximately 300 feet AGL, the airplane's engine experienced a partial loss of power. A forced landing to a road was performed. During the landing sequence, the airplane's wing contacted 'tall weeds in [a] road ditch and pulled [the] airplane into [the] ditch.' The pilot shut down the engine after the airplane came to rest. An engine run was performed, and an FAA inspector, who attended the run, reported that the pilot 'reached in and started the engine; it ran smoothly. He advanced the throttle slightly, the engine accelerated smoothly.' The pilot reported that on the day of the accident, there was high temperature and high humidity. He 'suspected carb[uretor] icing.' Carburetor icing was not verified.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,453 hours in all; 1,095 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 20, 1997
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N8784L on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Piper PA-25 Pawnee 455 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Piper 44,839 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 5,245 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Accidents and incidents in Oklahoma 1,300 since 1982 · 181 in the last ten years
- Oklahoma 5,659 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/FTW97LA277.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.