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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

September 25, 1995 · Piper PA-24-250 · N6725P

Ludington, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Ludington, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N6725P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA332

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE 'RAN OUT OF FUEL,' APPROXIMATELY SIX MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. HE 'TURNED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE WIND' AND ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD TAKEN OFF KNOWING THAT HE WAS 'PROBABLY STRETCHING HIS FUEL TO REACH HIS PLANNED DESTINATION.' THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED EVIDENCE INDICATIVE OF A HARD FLAT IMPACT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL PRIOR TO IMPACT.

NTSB Probable Cause

fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's inaccurate fuel calculations and the failure to refuel the airplane prior to takeoff. An additional cause was the stall/mush during the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On September 24, 1995, at 2019 eastern daylight time (edt), a Piper PA-24-250, N6725P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a plowed field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight departed Rochester, New York, at 1745 edt, and was en route to Ludington, Michigan. The pilot reported that he was approximately six miles from his destination airport at 2200 feet mean sea level when he "ran out of fuel." He turned on the fuel pump and switched tanks with no success. The pilot stated that he then "turned the airplane into the wind and looked for a place to put the airplane down." He selected a plowed field to do a forced landing in, but had to clear trees in front of him to reach it. The pilot stated that he was knocked unconscious at impact. In a subsequent telephone conversation with the pilot, he said that he had taken off knowing that he was "probably stretching his fuel to reach his planned destination," but felt that he could "get fuel somewhere en route." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage stated that the airplane "impacted in soft dirt and slid approximately 50 feet before coming to rest." The right main gear strut was found driven up through the right wing skin. The left main gear was bent outward and the nose gear was found separated from the rest of the airplane wreckage. The cowling and forward fuselage were bent underneath. Examination of the propeller showed one blade undamaged and the other blade bent aft. There were severe wrinkles observed throughout the skin of the airplane. The cabin was found intact, but the seats, control panel and luggage had been jarred loose. Examination of the flight controls showed no evidence of preimpact damage. There was no evidence of fuel at the accident site. Examination of the fuel system indicated no sign of fuel in the system prior to impact.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:19 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN6725P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1D5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data