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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 16, 1998 · Piper PA-25-260D · N9754P

Richfield, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Richfield, UT
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-260D
Tail Number
N9754P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW98LA221

The pilot remembered little of the accident. Witnesses said that the pilot had been spraying a field with a 50-50 mixture of Furadan (a weed killer) and Dimate 4E. They reported hearing the engine 'cut out,' 'stall,' or 'stop.' They said the pilot 'got it started again,' then it 'cut out,' 'stalled,' or 'stopped' again. The airplane was then seen to 'dive,' 'nose dive,' or go 'straight down.' An FAA inspector examined the undamaged wing tanks and found no evidence of fuel. No fuel was detected in the gascolator, the fuel line between the gascolator and fuel pump, or the carburetor. A small amount of fuel was found in the carburetor inlet fuel line.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power; and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering for a forced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 1998, at 0938 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-260D, N9754P, was destroyed when it collided with terrain during a forced landing near Richfield, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant onboard, was seriously injured. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, neither the pilot nor his company, Donair Flight Service, has been issued an aerial applicator operating certificate. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated approximately 8 minutes before the accident. According to the pilot's accident report, he remembers little of what happened. He said witnesses told him that he "had just about finished spraying a field when the wind began blowing." He left the field to return to the airport. He said witnesses told him "they thought they heard the engine running roughly. It appeared as though I made a landing in a field close to the airport when the accident occurred. About all I remember of that day was waking up that afternoon in the hospital." The pilot said he received a slight concussion and a fractured nose. According to the Sevier County Sheriff's Office report, the pilot had been spraying a field with a 50-50 mixture of Furadan (a weed killer) and Dimate 4E. Seven witness statements collected by the sheriff's office indicated the engine "cut out," "stalled," or "stopped." The pilot "got it started again," then it "cut out," "stalled," or "stopped" again. The airplane was then seen to "dive," "nose dive," or go "straight down." An FAA inspector went to the scene and examined the airplane. According to his report, the wing tanks and attached fuel lines were not damaged. When the tank drains were opened, no fuel came out. No fuel was found in the gascolator, the fuel line between the gascolator and fuel pump, or the carburetor. A small amount of fuel, however, was found in the carburetor inlet fuel line.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:38 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-260D
Tail NumberN9754P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-G1A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data