# NTSB CHI01LA263: Piper PA-25-235, N4478Y, Callaway, NE, August 2, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 2001, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Callaway, NE
- Coordinates: 41.289764, -99.919326 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2898&lon=-99.9193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA263

## Probable cause

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight.  Contributing to the accident  was the muddy field and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a cornfield after a loss of engine power.  The pilot reported he, "... left the airport without fueling the airplane.  Made a forced landing in a cornfield.  The cornfield was the only available spot."  The pilot reported the cornfield was muddy.

## Factual narrative

On August 2, 2001, at 1205 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N4478Y, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a cornfield near Calloway, Nebraska.  The pilot was not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial spraying flight had departed a private airstrip near Callaway, Nebraska, at 1100 and was spraying chemical when the airplane lost power.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported he, "... left the airport without fueling the airplane.  Made a forced landing in a cornfield.  The cornfield was the only available spot."  The pilot reported the cornfield was muddy.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4478Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4150
- Airframe hours: 4630
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Johnie Witthuhn
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 2001, 35 hours before
- Departed: Calloway, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review February 8, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 5,400 total, 3,400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC)
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: BBW, 15 nm away

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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