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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 22, 1994 · Piper PA-25-235 · N7726Z

Washington, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Washington, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N7726Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA163

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED CHEMICAL SPRAYING, AND WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FOR REFUELING AND CHEMICAL RELOADING. WHILE ON A TWO MILE BASE LEG, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A TOBACCO FIELD, RESULTING IN A BENT WING SPAR. IN HIS REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS RELYING UPON THE FUEL GAUGE TO DETERMINE THE REMAINING FUEL QUANTITY, RATHER THAN ELAPSED TIME. ABOUT TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION. UNUSABLE FUEL IS PLACARDED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS TWO GALLONS.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate inflight planning that resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the unsuitable terrain, a plowed field, available for landing.

Full Narrative

On August 22, 1994, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7726Z, dragged the right wing during a forced landing roll near Washington, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by Lee Flying Service under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the positioning flight. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Warren Field, Washington, North Carolina, about 1115. The airplane was returning from a spray run for reloading and refueling. The pilot reported that while on a left base leg for landing on runway 23, the engine popped and quit. A forced landing was made in a tobacco field, about two miles from the airstrip. The landing was made across the furrows, which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear. Substantial damage was done to the right wing when it dragged across the furrows. An inspector from the Raleigh, North Carolina, Flight Standards District Office, Morrisville, North Carolina, reported that about two gallons of automotive fuel were drained from the airplane's fuel tank. Unusable fuel for the airplane is two gallons.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EDT
Nearest AirportWarren Field (2nm E)
Runway23
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN7726Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data