Piper PA-28 accident near Delavan, Minnesota, October 9, 1989
On October 9, 1989, a Piper PA-28, registered N6340R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Delavan, Minnesota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING A LOW PASS, AND TO SEE-AND-AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS (INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY AND THE OBSTRUCTIONS (POWERLINES).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 9, 1989
- Place
- Delavan, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28 · all PA-28s on the register
- Registration
- N6340R · no longer on the register · serial 28-21509
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
MOMENTS BEFORE IT CRASHED, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A LOW PASS THAT WAS BELOW TREETOP LEVEL. A PULL-UP WAS INITIATED, BUT THE ACFT HIT A POWERLINE AT ABOUT 24 TO 30 FT AGL. THE POWERLINE STRETCHED, THEN FAILED & THE ACFT CRASHED IN A FIELD, 733 FT FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 2, 1989; 45 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,140 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Mapleton MN at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.