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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 21, 1995 · Piper PA-25-235 · N9740P

San Antonio, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
San Antonio, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N9740P
Operator
Phillip L Leach
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA179

THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE RETURNING FROM A BANNER TOWING FLIGHT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT RELEASED HIS BANNER AND MADE A FORCED LANDING. THE SUBSEQUENT 'FLAT' LANDING STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED THE WING SPARS. THE PILOT LATER LOCATED A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE CARBURETOR AT A FUEL LINE CONNECTING JOINT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AS RESULT OF A FUEL LINE CONNECTOR LEAK. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

On April 21, 1995, at 1702 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N9740P, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near San Antonio, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated by Petra Aviation, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Geronimo Field near Seguin, Texas, at 1530 CDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the banner towing flight and a flight plan was not filed. During a personal interview with local police and the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he performed an airborne pick up of the banner at the Bill Dean Ranch private grass airstrip near the north end of Randolph Air Force Base. After completing his banner towing flight, he was en route back to the ranch to drop the banner off when he "ran out of fuel." He released the banner and initiated a forced landing, subsequently landing "flat" and structurally damaging both wing spars. The pilot stated on his enclosed Pilot/Operator report that he "developed a leak in fuel line." In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge he stated that "a fuel leak was found near the carburetor at a connecting joint."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:02 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN9740P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhillip L Leach
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-650-A1B2 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data