# NTSB ATL92LA014: Piper PA-25-235, N7501Z, Thomasville, GA, October 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1991, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Thomasville, GA
- Coordinates: 30.830324, -83.970581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8303&lon=-83.9706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA014

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT.

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. HE TURNED TOWARD A HARVESTED COTTON FIELD TO PERFORM A FORCED LANDING. HE PUMPED THE THROTTLE, AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED, THEN QUIT AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, SEPARATING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AT IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE SLID ABOUT 50 FEET, CAME TO A STOP, AND CAUGHT FIRE. AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AT A HIGH SINK RATE. TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INDICATION OF FUEL CONTAMINATION DURING HIS PREFLIGHT. FIRE DAMAGE PRECLUDED EXAMINING THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SUPPLY FOR CONTAMINANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7501Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7501Z-1992-09-22), registration cancelled 1992-09-22, S/N 253528 (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: 25-3528
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Murphy'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Murphy'S Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1991
- Airport: NONE, Unknown, runway 36, 2,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 5,300 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VAD, 45 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 19911024047929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911024047929A), Oct 24, 1991: Piper PA25235, Thomasville, GA, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Dumped load. Mushed to ground,high sink rate. Fueling process suspect for dirt or water.

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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