# NTSB ATL98LA050: Piper PA-25-235, N8648L, Perry Foley, FL, February 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 21, 1998, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Perry Foley, FL - Coordinates: 30.169887, -83.610656 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1699&lon=-83.6107&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 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3975 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3975/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA050 ## Probable cause a loose (or missing) carburetor drain plug and fuel line, due to an inadequate maintenance/annual inspection, which resulted in a fuel leak, fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. The obstructions (trees in the emergency landing area) were a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - fuel system,carburetor - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - leak (cause) - fuel system,line - leak (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis During cruise flight, the engine lost power. The pilot then initiated an emergency landing on a dirt road, but during the landing, the airplane collided with trees and was damaged. According to an FAA inspector and the pilot, no fuel was remaining in the airplane, but it should not have run out of fuel. They stated the airplane should have reached its destination with adequate fuel reserves. The FAA inspector noted that the fuel tank did not rupture, and that it contained only residual fuel. Also, the FAA inspector noted that the carburetor bowl drain plug was missing, and the fuel line from the fuel tank to the firewall shutoff valve was loose and leaking. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane recently had an annual inspection after being in extended storage . ## Factual narrative On February 21, 1998, at 1755 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-25-235, N8648L, collided with the ground during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Perry Foley, Florida. The airplane was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Brownfield, Texas, exact time unknown. According to both the FAA inspector and the pilot, the airplane had no fuel, but should not have run out of fuel. They stated the airplane should have reached its destination, Hollywood, Florida, with adequate fuel reserves. During further examination by the FAA inspector, it was noted that the engine contained adequate oil and showed no signs of seizure. Also, the fuel tank did not rupture and contained only residual fuel. It was also noted by the FAA inspector that the carburetor bowl drain plug was missing, and the fuel line from the fuel tank to the firewall shutoff valve was loose and leaking. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane had recently undergone an annual inspection after being in extended storage . ## Aircraft - Registration: N8648L (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-5088 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Turley - Registered owner: South Plains Aero - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1998, 6 hours before - Departed: Q26, BROWNFIELD, TX - Destination: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,300 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GNV, 38 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 19980221001649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980221001649A), Feb 21, 1998: Piper PA25235, Perry Foley, FL, Substantial damage. On February 21, 1998 at 1755 eastern standard time, a Piper pa 25-235, N8648L collided with the ground during an emergency landing following a loss of engine… 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.