# NTSB LAX00LA233: Piper PA-25-260, N8578L, Coleville, CA, June 17, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 2000, 14:31 local (21:31 UTC) - Place: Coleville, CA - Coordinates: 38.470672, -119.480186 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4707&lon=-119.4802&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 November 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49484 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49484/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA233 ## Probable cause the tow plane pilot's inadequate airplane performance calculations. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor) - object - fence - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - performance data - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was attempting to tow a sailplane out from a field. The sailplane pilot had lost lift and made a precautionary landing, and contacted the tow plane company for assistance. After landing the tow plane in the open field, both pilots paced off about 15/1,600 feet, which the tow pilot estimated would be sufficient for takeoff at 5,300 feet msl. The density altitude was calculated to be about 7,903 feet msl. During the takeoff climb the tow plane collided with a fence. The sailplane released, overflew the tow plane about 2 to 4 feet, and collided with another fence. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2000, about 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-25-260, N8578L, collided with a fence during a sailplane tow takeoff from a dirt field near Coleville, California. The airplane, operated by Soar Minden under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and a company flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Minden-Tahoe Airport, Minden, Nevada, about 1400, and landed in the field, about 5,300 feet mean sea level (msl), to recover a sailplane after it had made a precautionary landing in the field. The pilot reported that the sailplane pilot had lost lift and decided to make a precautionary landing, and contacted his company for assistance in towing the glider out of the field. After landing the tow plane in the open field, both pilots paced off about 15/1,600 feet, which he estimated would be sufficient for takeoff at 5,300 feet msl. The density altitude was calculated to be about 7,903 feet msl. During the takeoff climb the tow plane collided with a fence. The sailplane released, overflew the tow plane by 2 to 4 feet, and collided with another fence across the road from the tow plane. ## 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 PA-25-260 - 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 - Airframe hours: 8593 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Soar Minden - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1999 - Departed: NONE - Destination: MEV, MINDEN, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: front; flight hours: 23,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 22,900 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 167 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 30 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 20000617008099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000617008099A), Jun 17, 2000: Piper PA25260, Coleville, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 17, 2000 at 1500 hours PDT Piper N8578L collided with a fence on takeoff from a dirt field near Coleville, CA. The a/c being operated as a tow… ## 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 GAA17CA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA331), Jun 11, 2017: Piper PA25 (N8578L), Hood River, OR, substantial damage. 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. 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.