# NTSB CHI97LA209: Piper PA-25-235A, N7050Z, O'Neil, NE, July 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 1997, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: O'Neil, NE - Coordinates: 42.459976, -98.640678 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4600&lon=-98.6407&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10628 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10628/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA209 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion, due to the pilot's improper planning/decision and inadequate fuel consumption calculations. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of an operable fuel indication system, and the high winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - disconnected (contributing factor) - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported the fuel tanks were topped off. The winds were from 160 degrees at 20 gusting to 27 knots. The pilot reported flying at 1,000 feet above ground level. He diverted to the west due to weather. He reported that after two hours of flight, the engine RPM dropped from 2,200 to 2,000, and then to 1,500 RPM. The pilot was maneuvering to land in a field which ran north to south, when the engine RPM dropped to 1,000. He then determined that he could not reach the intended field, so he turned to the southwest for a forced landing. He reported that as he flared during touchdown, a wind gust from the south lifted the left wing, and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane did not have an operable fuel indication system. A visual inspection disclosed a small amount of fuel in the carburetor float chamber and the firewall fuel strainer. There was no evidence of fuel in the fuel tank or lower fuselage cavity. Also, there was no evidence of fuel seepage at the crash site or stains on the fuselage where fuel could have seeped out. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 1997, at 1545 central daylight time (CDT), a Piper PA-25-235A, N7050Z, operated by Mid-Continent Aircraft Corp., was substantially damaged when it lost power in cruise flight and impacted the terrain about 11 miles from O'Neil, Nebraska. The pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Clark, South Dakota, on a ferry flight to Hayti, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had topped off the 39 gallon fuel tank prior to the flight. The pilot reported that he had departed for Hyati, Missouri, at 1345 CDT. He reported the AWOS indicated the weather was clear. The winds were from 160 at 20 knots gusting to 27 knots. He reported flying at 1,000 feet above ground level. While en route he changed course to the west to avoid weather. He reported that after two hours of flight the engine PRM's dropped from 2,200 RPM's to 2,000 RPM's, and then to 1,500 RPM's. He set up an approach to a field which ran north to south until the engine RPM's dropped to 1,000 RPM's, and he determined he could not make his intended field. He turned right to the southwest and attempted to land. He reported that as he flared during touchdown a wind gust from the south (his left) lifted the left wing and the right wing struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled. The airplane came to rest facing the south after cartwheeling 270 degrees. The pilot exited the airplane with no injuries. An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and the accident site. He reported that the airplane did not have an operable fuel indication system. The fuel shutoff valve actuating cable was disconnected and the valve was frozen in the open position. He reported that a visual inspection disclosed a small amount of fuel in the carburetor float chamber and the firewall fuel strainer. There was no evidence of fuel in the fuel tank or lower fuselage cavity. He reported there was no evidence of fuel seepage at the crash site or stains on the fuselage where fuel could have seeped out. He reported that the Enviromental Protection Agency representative did not find any evidence of fuel or chemical seepage at the accident site. The Airworthiness Inspector reported that there was no evidence of propeller rotation at impact. The magnetos and carburetor were examined and no anomalies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7050Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7050Z), registered now, S/N 25-2818, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235A - 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: 25-2818 - Airframe hours: 5082 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2-B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mid-Continent Aircraft Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1994, 4 hours before - Departed: 8D7, CLARK, SD - Destination: ONL, ONEIL, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 9,475 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 20 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ONL, 11 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 19970710018209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970710018209A), Jul 10, 1997: Piper PA25235, Oneill, NE, Substantial damage. On positioning operation gradualy loss engine power. Attempted emergency landing. Right wing hit the ground. (.4)the pilot reported the fuel tanks were topped… 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.