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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

October 24, 1991 · Piper PA-25-235 · N7501Z

Thomasville, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 24, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Thomasville, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N7501Z
Operator
Murphy S Flying Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL92LA014

THE AG PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. HE TURNED TOWARD A HARVESTED COTTON FIELD TO PERFORM A FORCED LANDING. HE PUMPED THE THROTTLE, AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED, THEN QUIT AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, SEPARATING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AT IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE SLID ABOUT 50 FEET, CAME TO A STOP, AND CAUGHT FIRE. AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AT A HIGH SINK RATE. TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INDICATION OF FUEL CONTAMINATION DURING HIS PREFLIGHT. FIRE DAMAGE PRECLUDED EXAMINING THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SUPPLY FOR CONTAMINANTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT.

Full Narrative

THE AG PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. HE TURNED TOWARD A HARVESTED COTTON FIELD TO PERFORM A FORCED LANDING. HE PUMPED THE THROTTLE, AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED, THEN QUIT AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, SEPARATING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AT IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE SLID ABOUT 50 FEET, CAME TO A STOP, AND CAUGHT FIRE. AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AT A HIGH SINK RATE. TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INDICATION OF FUEL CONTAMINATION DURING HIS PREFLIGHT. FIRE DAMAGE PRECLUDED EXAMINING THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SUPPLY FOR CONTAMINANTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 EDT
Nearest Airport1nm NNW
Runway36
Runway Length2500 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN7501Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMurphy S Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B2C5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data