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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 16, 2002 · Piper PA-25-235 · N9791P

Boulder, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Boulder, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N9791P
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN02LA096

The pilot said that he checked his flight time and fuel gauges (including fuel low level indicator light) before takeoff. While towing a glider, he experienced fuel exhaustion. He performed a forced landing to an open field, but the wind changed from a estimated 15 to 20 knots to no wind situation when he got close to the ground. The airplane stalled from about 8 or 10 feet, hit the ground, and nosed over. The engine was crushed back, and the left wing was separated from the fuselage. The calculated density altitude was 11,361 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent loss of engine power, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. Factors included the changing wind conditions, the high density altitude, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Full Narrative

On August 16, 2002, at approximately 1340 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N9791P, was destroyed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Boulder, Colorado. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. Mile High Gliding Inc. was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the glider-towing local flight which originated from Boulder Municipal Airport approximately 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot had not filed a flight plan. The pilot said that he checked his flight time and fuel gauges (including fuel low level indicator light) before takeoff. He said that while towing a glider, he experienced fuel exhaustion. The pilot said he performed a forced landing to an open field, but the wind changed from a estimated 15 to 20 knots to no wind situation when he got close to the ground. He said that the airplane stalled from about 8 or 10 feet, hit the ground, and nosed over. The engine was crushed back, and the left wing was separated from the fuselage. The density altitude was calculated to be 11,361 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:40 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN9791P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-GIAS · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 10 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time19:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data