# NTSB ATL91LA133: Piper PA-25-235, N4800P, Hawkinsville, GA, July 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1991, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Hawkinsville, GA
- Coordinates: 32.279434, -83.470092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2794&lon=-83.4701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA133

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, HIS FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE WHEN HE OBSERVED HIS FUEL SUPPLY GETTING LOW, AND THE RESULTANT EXHAUSTION OF HIS FUEL SUPPLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT WAS ON THE RETURN LEG OF A SPARE PARTS RUN.  HE HAD NOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, HE ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 22 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD; ENOUGH FOR THE 45 MILE FLIGHT.  EN ROUTE, HE ENCOUNTERED DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY, AND DEVIATED HIS COURSE TO THE WEST.  WHILE DEVIATING THE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY, HE EXHAUSTED HIS FUEL SUPPLY.  HE FORCE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A NEARBY PASTURE, BUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE, RESULTING IN AIRFRAME DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4800P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4800P), registered now, S/N 25-4580, built 1968 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4580
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Arnold, Greg A.
- Registered owner: Arnold, Greg A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, TIFTON, GA
- Destination: 48A, COCHRAN, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 330 total, 85 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 25 nm away

## 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 19910715027989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910715027989A), Jul 15, 1991: Piper PA25235, Hawkinsville, GA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel ferrying ag aircraft back to base from repairs. Blamed need to circumvent thunderstorms en route.

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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