# NTSB CHI94LA006: Piper PA-25-235, N6862Z, Frankfort, MI, October 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1993, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, MI
- Coordinates: 44.630184, -86.229682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6302&lon=-86.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9406/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA006

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to perform refueling.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - pole
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A GLIDER TOW PLANE DESCENDED FOR LANDING AT HOME FIELD.  THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On October 5, 1993, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N6862Z, operated by Northwest Soaring Club experienced loss of engine power during descent and landed short of the runway at Frankfort, Michigan.  The solo commercial pilot reported no injury.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the glider tow  flight.  The local flight originated about 1550 without a flight plan and operated under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot reported the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion.  No mechanical malfunction or failure was reported or found.  When examined, the airplane contained less than a gallon of fuel and the fuel gage read empty.

The pilot obtained a checkout in model the day before the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6862Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6862Z), registered now, S/N 25-2548, 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 O-540-B2B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-b2b5) (registry code 42337, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2548
- Airframe hours: 5350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Northwest Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1993, 29 hours before
- Departed: 3D4
- Destination: 3D4
- Airport: 3D4, Frankfort  City-County, runway 32, 3,250 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 426 total, 3 in this make and model, 362 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19931005038559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931005038559A), Oct 5, 1993: Piper PA25235, Frankfort, MI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on landing approach after a glider tow. Landed short of runway.

## Other investigations on N6862Z (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 CHI86FEM14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FEM14), Aug 18, 1986: Piper PA-25-235 (N6862Z), White Pigeon, MI, 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.

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