# NTSB CEN15CA001: Piper PA 25-235, N6659Z, Yankton, SD, October 1, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 1, 2014, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Yankton, SD
- Coordinates: 42.946945, -97.440002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9469&lon=-97.4400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90197/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90197
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA001

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After conducting an aerial application flight and attempting to return to the airport, the pilot noticed that the fuel float gauge displayed a low quantity. The airplane's engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a cornfield about 3 miles west of the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported in a postaccident statement that he ran out of fuel.

## Factual narrative

After conducting an aerial application flight and attempting to return to the airport, the pilot noticed that the fuel float gauge displayed a low quantity. The airplane's engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a cornfield about 3 miles west of the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported in a postaccident statement that he ran out of fuel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6659Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6659Z), registered now, S/N 25-2258 (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: 25-2258
- Year built: 1963
- Airframe hours: 3355
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2014
- Departed: Meckling, SD
- Destination: Tabor, SD
- Airport: YKN, Chan Gurney Muni
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2013; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,320 total, 800 in this make and model, 360 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.72 inHg
- Observed at: KYKN, 5 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 20141001019939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141001019939A), Oct 1, 2014: Piper PA-25-235, Yankton, SD, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was spraying a crop approximately 10 miles west of Yankton, SD and was operating under CFR part 137. The pilot stated he realized he was…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90197. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 502 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417631&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (item 2, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417632&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF

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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