# NTSB FTW95LA179: Piper PA-25-235, N9740P, San Antonio, TX, April 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1995, 17:02 local (22:02 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.569362, -97.960449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5694&lon=-97.9604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA179

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AS RESULT OF A FUEL LINE CONNECTOR LEAK. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system,line fitting - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE RETURNING FROM A BANNER TOWING FLIGHT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT RELEASED HIS BANNER AND MADE A FORCED LANDING. THE SUBSEQUENT 'FLAT' LANDING STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED THE WING SPARS. THE PILOT LATER LOCATED A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE CARBURETOR AT A FUEL LINE CONNECTING JOINT.

## Factual narrative

On April 21, 1995, at 1702 central daylight time, a Piper   PA-25-235, N9740P, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near San Antonio, Texas.  The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries.  The aircraft was being operated by Petra Aviation, under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated from Geronimo Field near Seguin, Texas, at 1530 CDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the banner towing flight and a flight plan was not filed.

During a personal interview with local police and the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he performed an airborne pick up of the banner at the Bill Dean Ranch private grass airstrip near the north end of Randolph Air Force Base.  After completing his banner towing flight, he was en route back to the ranch to drop the banner off when he "ran out of fuel."  He released the banner and initiated a forced landing, subsequently landing "flat" and structurally damaging both wing spars.

The pilot stated on his enclosed Pilot/Operator report that he "developed a leak in fuel line."  In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge he stated that "a fuel leak was found near the carburetor at a connecting joint."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9740P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9740P-2009-09-30), registration cancelled 2009-09-30, S/N 25-7556051, built 1974 (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: 25-7556051
- Engines: LYCOMING O-650-A1B2 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip L. Leach, doing business as Petra Aviation
- Registered owner: Buchannan & Briden Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 10, 1995
- Departed: T90, SEGUIN, TX
- Destination: T90

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 7,200 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 12 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 19950421012849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950421012849A), Apr 21, 1995: Piper PA25235, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. Engine lost power returning from banner tow. Released banner. Flat forced landing bent spar. Fuel leak at carb.

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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