# NTSB ATL87LA226: Piper PA-25-235, N9867P, Ardmore, AL, August 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1987, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Ardmore, AL
- Coordinates: 34.979354, -86.829223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9794&lon=-86.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA226

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,vapor return system - switched off (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - pressure too low (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST PWR DURING INITIAL CLIMB AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT TURNED THE FUEL BOOST PUMP OFF. A FORCED LDG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE ON A NEARBY INTERSTATE HWY. THE PLT DELAYED THE LDG TO AVOID HITTING AUTOS ON THE HWY AND A HARD LDG RESULTED. THE SUSPECTED CAUSE OF THE PWR LOSS WAS FUEL VAPOR LOCK. THE ENGINE WAS TEST-RUN AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THAT NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED WITH 87 OCTANE AUTO GAS. THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 90 DEG F. THE ARPT ELEVATION IS 920 FT MSL. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE ARPT WAS CALCULATED TO BE APPROX 3,200 FT. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT STC'D TO OPERATE ON AUTO GAS. PIPER MANDATORY SERVICE BULLETIN #855 DATED 1-14-87 PROHIBITS THE USE OF AUTO FUEL IN PIPER AIRPLANES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9867P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9867P-1989-02-06), registration cancelled 1989-02-06, S/N 257556191 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 257556191
- Airframe hours: 2969
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Towe Brothers
- Registered owner: Towe Brothers
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 20, 1987, 13 hours before
- Airport: 1M3, Ardmore

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 352 total, 5 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870805043529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870805043529A), Aug 5, 1987: Piper PA25235, Ardmore, AL, Substantial damage. Loss of power on climbout. Hard landing on road. Gear collapsed. Wing hit ground. Auto fuel not approved. Vapor lock

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.