# NTSB LAX83LA278: Piper PA-25, N6073Z, New River, AZ, June 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1983, 13:27 local (20:27 UTC)
- Place: New River, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.95948, -110.049949 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9595&lon=-110.0499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA278

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,cap - loose (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - siphoning (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE REFUELED HIS AIRCRAFT AND SECURED THE GAS CAP AFTER WHICH HE MADE FOUR FIFTEEN MINUTES AERO TOW FLIGHTS. DURING THE FIFTH AERO TOW, AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING, THE PILOT HEARD AN OBJECT STRIKE THE WIND SHIELD AND HE SAW THAT THE GAS CAP WAS MISSING. THE PILOT SMELLED GAS FUMES AND SIGNALLED THE GLIDER PILOT THAT IMMEDIATE RELEASE WAS NECESSARY AND THE GLIDER WAS RELEASED. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AT 1000 FT. AGL AND THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN A LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6073Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6073Z-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 25-85, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25) (registry code 7102502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-85
- Airframe hours: 3074
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard E. Sexton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 9, 1983, 40 hours before
- Departed: AZ05, NEW RIVER, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,762 total, 70 in this make and model, 1,704 as pilot in command, 133 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHXQ

## 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 19830610024939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830610024939A), Jun 10, 1983: Piper PA25, New River, AZ, Substantial damage. Cap on fuel tank came off and pilot made emergency landing in lake.

## Other investigations on N6073Z (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 FTW66F0619](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0619), Apr 11, 1966: Piper PA-25 (N6073Z), Cleo Springs, OK, 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.

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