# NTSB ATL96LA003: Piper PA-25-235, N6674Z, Gulf Shores, AL, October 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 6, 1995, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Gulf Shores, AL - Location: 30.2772° N, 87.7024° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gulf Shores, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2772&lon=-87.7024&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3664 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3664/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA003 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the proximity of high obstructions (trees) to the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that moments after lift-off, the engine began running roughly. At an altitude of about 20 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot stated that the airplane was headed in the direction of a row of trees, so he negotiated a 90 degree left turn to avoid the obstructions. Airspeed dissipated, and the airplane settled to the ground. The landing gear was broken off during ground impact. During an investigation, the propeller was replaced, and an operational check of the engine was performed. The engine operated in accordance with the manufacturer's operating specifications. ## Factual narrative On October 6, 1995, about 1745 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-236, N6674Z, collided with the ground during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power after take off, at Kiwi Airfield, near Gulf Shores, Alabama. The airplane was operated by Kiwi Sky Signs, Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. A flight plan was not filed for the local banner tow flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. According to the operator, after take off, the engine began running roughly. Upon reaching an altitude of about 20 feet, the engine failed. He stated that the aircraft was headed in the direction of a row of trees, where he then negotiated a 90 degree left turn to avoid the oncoming obstruction. The airspeed largely dissipated, resulting in a stall. The airplane then collided with the ground before it could be recovered from the stall. The landing gear was broken off during the ground impact. An inspection was performed on the aircraft by an Aviation Safety Inspector during which the propeller was replaced, and the engine was run. The engine operated in accordance with the manufacturer's operating specifications. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6674Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6674Z-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 25-2275, built 1963 (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: 25-2225 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Kiwi Sky Signs, Inc - Registered owner: Dolphin Air Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1995, 165 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: AL15 - Airport: NONE, Kiwi Banner Field, runway 18, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,861 total, 24 in this make and model, 8,091 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MOB, 37 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 19951006031309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951006031309A), Oct 6, 1995: Piper PA25235, Gulf Shores, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Stalled in banking to avoid trees. No engine defects found. Banner tow flight. ## Other investigations on N6674Z (2) 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. - [NTSB MIA01LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA104), Mar 22, 2001: Piper PA-25-235 (N6674Z), Bainbridge, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout while maneuvering during a agricultural run, and inadvertent descent with a known sun glare resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. - [NTSB UNK64X3967](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3967), Sep 13, 1964: Piper PA25 (N6674Z), Wharton, TX, substantial damage 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.