# NTSB FTW98LA270: Piper PA-25-260, N8531L, Douglas, WY, June 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 1998, 19:00 local (Jun 17, 1998, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Douglas, WY - Coordinates: 42.74995, -105.390274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7499&lon=-105.3903&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 February 22, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20652 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20652/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA270 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate judgement in attempting to takeoff from unsuitable rough terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - judgment - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis While on a ferry flight, approximately 20 miles from the airport where refueling was planned, the aircraft engine lost all power due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot landed in a field. He hitchhiked to the airport and purchased 15 gallons of fuel which was put in the aircraft. The pilot then attempted to takeoff from unsuitable terrain. The aircraft got about 4 feet in the air and dragged both wings on the terrain before the pilot re-landed and stopped the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 1998, at 1900 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-260, N8531L, made a forced landing in a field 20 miles north of Douglas, Wyoming, following a complete loss of power. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. The flight was a ferry flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The last departure point was Spearfish, South Dakota, and the intended destination was Richfield, Utah, with a fuel stop planned at Douglas. According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight when the engine gradually lost all power and he conducted a forced landing in a field. The pilot said he hitch hiked to the Douglas airport and got 10 gallons of gas which he put in the aircraft because "I just wanted to make sure of clean fuel". He said he started the aircraft and ran up the engine. It appeared to run smoothly so he attempted to taxi to a smooth area for takeoff. During the taxi, according to the pilot's statement, he hit a "chuck hole" with the right main landing gear and buckled it, which caused damage to the right wing. According to the line service man at R & G Aircraft Service in Douglas, he received a call at home at approximately 2000 and he went to the airport where he met three "guys" who said they were following a friend who had just purchased a new plane and he had run out of gas and had made an emergency landing in a field 20 miles north of the airport. The service man said they wanted 15 gallons of fuel and he drove them out to the aircraft which had landed on the top of a ravine. According to this witness, after the fuel was put in the pilot attempted to take off and got about 4 feet in the air. According to his attached statement, the left wing tip hit the ground and the aircraft bounced from wing tip to wing tip along the ravine. The airplane came to a stop at the top of a hill and did a 180 degree turn. The line serviceman said he then drove them to a motel in Douglas following the accident. At the request of the Investigator-In-Charge, on July 9, 1998, the aircraft engine was started and run by an A&P mechanic at R &G Aircraft Service. He stated that the engine started "fine" and ran smooth. Both Magnetos checked within the normal range, and all temperatures and pressures were normal. The mechanic said he only ran the engine to 1,800 rpm due to the environment around the aircraft, but felt confident there was nothing wrong with the engine. (See attached statement). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8531L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8531L-2000-02-15), registration cancelled 2000-02-15, S/N 25-4950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-4950 - Airframe hours: 4104 - Engines: Lycoming O-540G1A5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Don Blackham - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1998 - Departed: SPF, SPEARFISH, SD - Destination: RIF, RICHFIELD, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 560 total, 65 in this make and model, 489 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 17 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DGW, 20 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 19980616025639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980616025639A), Jun 16, 1998: Piper PA25260, Douglas, WY, Substantial damage. Out of fuel landed in tall grass field. Refueled. Took off. Struck a ridge on climbout. Bushes slowed takeoff. (.4)while on a ferry flight, approximately 20… ## Other investigations on N8531L (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 DEN99LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA079), May 21, 1999: Piper PA-25-260 (N8531L), Richfield, UT, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the wires while maneuvering during an aerial application. 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.