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NTSB Report

July 3, 2014 · Piper PA 25-235 · N8730L

Rhinelander, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Rhinelander, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA 25-235 (1969)
Tail Number
N8730L
Operator
Walker Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN14CA344

A pre-flight inspection of the airplane before an aerial application flight revealed the airplane's fuel tank quantity was 3/4 full of fuel. Two aerial application flights lasted approximately one hour. The aircraft was loaded a third time. The loader inquired if the aircraft needed fuel. The pilot checked the fuel gauge and informed the loader that there was slightly less than 1/2 tank. He said that the airplane would require fuel on the next load. The aircraft departed and flew for approximately 10 minutes. The engine stopped producing power, the pilot jettisoned the load, and he performed a forced landing on an adjacent field. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial wing, fuselage, and empennage damage. No fuel was found on-scene in the airplane's fuel tanks or under the inverted airplane. Fuel was added to the fuel tank and the engine operated. According to the Federal Aviation Administration publication, The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, "aircraft certification rules require accuracy in fuel gauges only when they read 'empty.' Any reading other than 'empty' should be verified. Do not depend solely on the accuracy of the fuel quantity gauges."

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper inflight planning and reliance of fuel gauge readings, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

A pre-flight inspection of the airplane before an aerial application flight revealed the airplane's fuel tank quantity was 3/4 full of fuel. Two aerial application flights lasted approximately one hour. The aircraft was loaded a third time. The loader inquired if the aircraft needed fuel. The pilot checked the fuel gauge and informed the loader that there was slightly less than 1/2 tank. He said that the airplane would require fuel on the next load. The aircraft departed and flew for approximately 10 minutes. The engine stopped producing power, the pilot jettisoned the load, and he performed a forced landing on an adjacent field. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial wing, fuselage, and empennage damage. No fuel was found on-scene in the airplane's fuel tanks or under the inverted airplane. Fuel was added to the fuel tank and the engine operated. According to the Federal Aviation Administration publication, The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, "aircraft certification rules require accuracy in fuel gauges only when they read 'empty.' Any reading other than 'empty' should be verified. Do not depend solely on the accuracy of the fuel quantity gauges."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 25-235
Tail NumberN8730L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWalker Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B2C5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 48
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data