# NTSB CHI96LA218: Piper PA-25-235, N7289Z, Waterville, KS, June 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 1996, 20:20 local (Jun 11, 1996, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Waterville, KS - Coordinates: 39.689178, -96.740859 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6892&lon=-96.7409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10289 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10289/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA218 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight procedure. Factors were fuel exhaustion, a leak in the fuel filtering system, and high vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - fuel system,filter - leak (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis During cruise flight the airplane suffered a loss of engine power. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a field with high vegetation. The airplane nosed over. A subsequent examination of the airplane revealed a leak at the fuel gascolator. The pilot stated that it was his habit to turn off the fuel prior to leaving the cockpit on landing and to turn on the fuel after entering the cockpit in preparation for flight. Leaking fuel at the gascolator is not visible from the cockpit. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 1996, at 2020 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7289Z, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Waterville, Kansas. The pilot told authorities that the engine quit in cruise flight and he initiated a forced landing. The landing was in an open field with high vegetation. The airplane nosed over. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Macon, Missouri, time unknown with the intended destination of Beloit, Kansas. After the accident, the airplane was righted for examination. No fuel remained in the fuel tank. It was noted that a fuel leak at the gascolator was present when the fuel valve was opened. The pilot stated that it was his practice to turn off the valve prior to leaving the cockpit after landing and to turn on the valve after entering the cockpit prior to starting the engine. A fuel leak from the gascolator cannot be observed by the pilot when he is in the cockpit. Four gallons of aviation fuel were added to the fuel tank. The engine was started and ran at idle and full power. Magneto operational checks performed within specifications. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7289Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7289Z), registered now, S/N 25-3232, built 1965 (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: 25-3232 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael A. Roach - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: K89, MACON, MO - Destination: K61, BELOIT, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 18 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KCN, 42 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 19960610025839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960610025839A), Jun 10, 1996: Piper PA25235, Waterville, KS, Substantial damage. (.4)On June 10, 1996, at 2020 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7289Z, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Waterville, Kansas.… 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.