# NTSB FTW96LA323: Piper PA-25-235, N7469Z, Moriarity, NM, July 27, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 1996, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Moriarity, NM - Coordinates: 35.740959, -105.860084 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7410&lon=-105.8601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19925 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19925/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA323 ## Probable cause loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available 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) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, emergency landing after takeoff - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The airplane took off from runway 26 on the fifth glider tow of the day. While climbing through 400 feet AGL, the engine lost power and the pilot executed a forced landing to a pasture. During touchdown, the airplane crossed a dirt road and the left main gear collapsed. The pilot stated that he performed a detailed preflight of the airplane prior to the first tow of the day, and found that the aircraft was serviced with 20 gallons of fuel. He further stated that 20 gallons is normally sufficient for 6 or 7 tows, but on the day of the accident the tows were 'exceptionally long due to the general subsidence of the air mass along with high density altitude.' Examination of the fuel system revealed that both fuel cells were empty. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 1996, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7469Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Moriarity, New Mexico. The airplane was owned and operated by the Albuquerque Soaring Club Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the glider towing flight. The flight originated at the Moriarity Airport, approximately 3 minutes prior to the accident. According to an officer of the soaring club, the airplane took off from runway 26 on the fifth tow of the day. After executing a slight left turn, while climbing through approximately 400 feet AGL, the engine lost power. The pilot rocked the wings 3 times to signal to the glider to release and proceeded to execute a forced landing to an open pasture 2 miles southwest of the airport. During touchdown, the airplane crossed a dirt road with a double track of 8 inches deep set of tire tracks running perpendicular to the path of the airplane. The left main gear collapsed resulting in structural damage to the left wing and airframe. The glider being towed released from the tow plane and landed at the airport without further incident. In the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he performed a detailed preflight of the airplane prior to the first tow of the day and found that the aircraft was serviced with 20 gallons of fuel. He further stated that 20 gallons is normally sufficient for 6 or 7 tows, but on the day of the accident the tows were "exceptionally long due to the general subsidence of the air mass along with high density altitude." Examination of the fuel system revealed that both fuel cells were empty. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7469Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7469Z-1999-10-14), registration cancelled 1999-10-14, S/N 25-3471 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-3471 - Airframe hours: 4918 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-G1A5 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Albuquerque Soaring Club Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1996, 124 hours before - Departed: OEO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,222 total, 272 in this make and model, 4,171 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 235° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F ## 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 19960727020179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960727020179A), Jul 27, 1996: Piper PA25235, Moriarty, NM, Substantial damage. During climbing glider tow lost power. Glider released. Landed. Rutted field. Fuel tanks empty. Left main folded. (-23) on July 27, 1996 at 1500 CDT Piper… ## Other investigations on N7469Z (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 LAX81FVG32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVG32), May 14, 1981: Piper PA-25 (N7469Z), Durham, CA, 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. --- 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.