# NTSB ATL90DMG03: Piper PA-25, N8939L, Farmville, NC, July 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1990, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Farmville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.589538, -77.590469 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5895&lon=-77.5905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DMG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8097/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DMG03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATION WHEN HE DECLINED TO ADD FUEL BETWEEN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHTS. THE ENGINE QUIT AS A RESULT OF FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing

## Analysis

IN THE REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT, THE OPERATOR STATED THAT THE AGRICULTURAL PILOT HAD LANDED BETWEEN APPLICATION FLIGHTS. THE CHEMICAL HOPPER WAS REFILLED; HOWEVER, THE PILOT ELECTED NOT TO ADD FUEL. WHILE ENROUTE TO BASE FOLLOWING THE LAST APPLICATION FLIGHT THE ENGINE QUIT BECAUSE OF FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FORCED LANDING ENSUED IN THE ONLY CLEAR AREA AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8939L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8939L), registered now, S/N 25-5404, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-5404
- Airframe hours: 3863
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Wa-Lu Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1990, 21 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,765 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,650 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900718029259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900718029259A), Jul 18, 1990: Piper PA23235, Farmville, NC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel returning to base after spraying a field.

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.

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