# NTSB GAA17CA331: Piper PA25, N8578L, Hood River, OR, June 11, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 11, 2017, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Hood River, OR
- Coordinates: 45.665, -121.52111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6650&lon=-121.5211&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA/ FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95350/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95350
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA331

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to visually check the fuel level prior to takeoff and subsequent mismanagement of the available fuel supply during numerous glider tow flights.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The glider tow pilot reported that, during preflight, the fuel indicator read "2/3 full" and he had a "brief discussion" with the previous pilot who had just completed numerous glider tow flights without refueling. He added that a fuel dipstick was not available, and a visual check of the fuel quantity was not completed during preflight. He further added that on the 10th glider tow flight, which was about 2 hours of flight time, he noted a "low fuel indication in flight just prior to glider release." Subsequently, the glider released and during the return to the airport, about 2 nautical miles from the runway and about 1,900 above ground, the engine lost power. The pilot reported that due to the quartering headwind aloft he did not believe he could make the runway, so he attempted to land on an open pasture, but struck trees and impacted terrain about "50 yards short of [the] pasture." The fuselage, elevator, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The glider tow pilot reported that, during preflight the fuel indicator read "2/3 full" and he had a "brief discussion" with the previous pilot who had just completed numerous glider tow flights, without refueling. He added that a fuel "dipstick" was not available, and a visual check of the fuel quantity was not complete during preflight. He further added that on the 10th glider tow flight, which was about 2 hours of flight time, he noted a "low fuel indication in flight just prior to glider release." Subsequently, the glider released and during the return to the airport, about 2 nautical miles from the runway, about 1,900 above ground, the engine lost power. The pilot reported that due to the quartering headwind aloft he did not believe he could make the runway, so he attempted to land on an open pasture, but struck trees and impacted terrain about "50 yards short of [the] pasture." The fuselage, elevator, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8578L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8578L-2018-08-28), registration cancelled 2018-08-28, S/N 25-5004, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA25 (260)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-G1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-g1a5) (registry code 42344, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-5004
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 13229.82
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Glider tow, Part 91
- Operator: Hood River Soaring
- Registered owner: Hood River Soaring
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2017
- Departed: 4S2, Hood River, OR
- Destination: 4S2, Hood River, OR
- Airport: 4S2, Ken Jernstedt Airfield
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2016; seat: single; flight hours: 317.6 total, 7.6 in this make and model, 255.8 as pilot in command, 18.7 in the last 90 days, 9.6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: K4S2, 1 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 20170611005339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170611005339A), Jun 11, 2017: Piper PA-25-260, Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. While returning to airport after releasing glider at 3000' PIC noted aircraft was at 2 hours of operaton on engine tach meter. At start or day PIC estimated he…

## Other investigations on N8578L (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 LAX00LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA233), Jun 17, 2000: Piper PA-25-260 (N8578L), Coleville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the tow plane pilot's inadequate airplane performance calculations.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95350. 5.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465354&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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