# NTSB CEN24LA370: Piper PA-25-235, N6548Z, Muskogee, OK, September 26, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 26, 2024, 13:23 local (18:23 UTC) - Place: Muskogee, OK - Coordinates: 35.578056, -95.185556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5781&lon=-95.1856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195215 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA370 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195215/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195215 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA370 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inattention to refueling during turn-around operations 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) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Enroute: 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) - [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was returning from his third aerial application flight of the day when the engine sputtered and lost all power. While attempting to land, the left wing collided with trees and the airplane cartwheeled. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tank contained no fuel. The fuel system was intact, and no leaks were noted. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He reported that he reloaded chemicals and but forgot to refuel the airplane. He stated he spent about 10 minutes on the ground before the accident flight and that he could have slowed down and given more attention to refueling. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6548Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6548Z), registered now, S/N 25-2090, built 1962 (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: 25-2090 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 2102.7 - Engines: Lycoming B2B5-C-AID5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2024 - Departed: Webber Falls, OK - Destination: Webber Falls, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 17, 2023; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 895 total, 90 in this make and model, 841 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: KMKO, 10 nm away - METAR: METAR KMKO 260553Z AUTO 32005KT 6SM BR CLR 16/14 A2999 ## 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 20240926013989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240926013989A), Sep 26, 2024: Piper PA-25-235, Muskogee, OK, Substantial damage. The pilot was on a day VFR flight dispensing agricultural chemicals. After returning from the third agricultural chemical load. The pilot stated the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N6548Z (1) 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 IAD75DLJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75DLJ04), Aug 3, 1974: Piper PA-25 (N6548Z), Lagrange, NC, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195215. 7.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17813339&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA370%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17827088&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA370%20-%20Photo%20Summary-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17826986&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA370%20-MOR%20-%20FAA%20Notes-Rel.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. --- 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.