Piper PA-25-235 N8586L accident, Flagler, CO, May 22, 2004 · NTSB DEN04CA073

Probable cause

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, low airspeed, and the inoperative fuel quantity gauge.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalManeuvering - aerial application

Fluid,fuel - exhaustionCause

In-flight planning/decision - improperPilot in commandCause

Engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperativeFactor

Forced landingDescent - emergency

Hard landingEmergency descent/landing

Aircraft control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Airspeed - lowFactor

Altitude - lowFactor

Remedial action - attemptedPilot in command

In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

The pilot said he was aerial spraying 15 miles south of Flagler, Colorado. He said he refueled the airplane the load before the accident with 15 to 20 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported his bubble fuel gage indicated he had 10 to 15 gallons of fuel. The pilot said he was in a turn, reversing course to make his last pass on a field before returning to the airstrip. About 200 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot said he leveled the wings, put the nose down, and thought he would be okay. He said however, he had no airspeed to flare and hit the ground hard. The airplane's main landing gear and right wing were broken aft. The pilot said he was "100 percent certain" that he ran out of fuel. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.

Factual narrative

On May 22, 2004, at 1030 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N8586L, was substantially damaged when it struck terrain 15 miles south of Flagler, Colorado. The commercial pilot on board reported no injuries. The local aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Part 137 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at approximately 1000.

In his written statement, the pilot reported he was aerial spraying 15 miles south of Flagler. He said he refueled the airplane the load before the accident with 15 to 20 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported his bubble fuel gage indicated he had 10 to 15 gallons of fuel. The pilot said he was in a turn, reversing course to make his last pass on a field before returning to the airstrip. About 200 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot said he leveled the wings, put the nose down, and thought he would be okay. He said however he had no airspeed to flare and hit the ground hard.

In an interview shortly after the accident, the pilot said he was "100 percent certain" that he ran out of fuel. The pilot said that the indicator ball in the bubble fuel gage had remained at 10 gallons for some time. He said the ball usually "jiggles." The pilot said he suspected something was wrong and was going to check it out after he landed.

An examination of the airplane showed the main landing gear separated aft. The right wing was broken aft at the fuselage. The cowling was crushed aft and one propeller blade was bent aft underneath the cowling. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

Aircraft

Registration: N8586L
Reported as: Piper PA-25-235
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 25-5010
Engine: Lycoming O-540-B2C5, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Aerial application · Part 137
Operator: Ron Seelhoff, doing business as Seelhoff Aerial Spraying
Registered owner: Dan Silkman
Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
Departed: Flagler, CO

N8586LRegistration cancelled Sep 8, 2006 · Piper PA-25-235S/N 25-5010 · Built 1969 Airframe modelPiper PA-25-235 Engine modelLycoming 0-540 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 53
Injuries: None
Certificate: Commercial
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Medical: Class 2
Flight hours: 6,100 total · 100 in this make and model · 10 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20040522010249APiper PA25235 · Flager, CO(-23) On the morning of 22 may 2004, pilot ronald seelhoff, was conducting an aerial spraying operation 15 miles south of flagler Colorado. Mr. Seelhoff had conducted 5 previous spray sorties that morning without incident. On the sixth spray run, while…May 22, 2004 · N8586L · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N8586L · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB MKC81FCQ22Accident · Minor injuriesClosedNorton, KSApr 2, 1981 · Substantial damage NTSB SEA74FYA07Accident · Serious injuriesClosedGoshen, IDAug 2, 1973 · Destroyed