# NTSB LAX96LA195: Piper PA-25-235, N6844Z, Adelanto, CA, May 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 1996, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Adelanto, CA - Coordinates: 34.660068, -117.510459 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6601&lon=-117.5105&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 August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29440 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29440/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA195 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion as a result of an improper preflight inspection and operating with a known malfunctioning fuel gauge. ## 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 - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis During initial climb at 700 feet above ground level, the tow pilot experienced a total loss of engine power while towing a glider. The pilot released the glider which landed uneventfully. The tow pilot reported that he was unable to return to the departure airstrip, so he made a forced landing on a nearby dirt road. During rollout, the airplane collided with bushes and was substantially damaged. The pilot further indicated his airplane's engine quit because the fuel tank was empty. The pilot reported that the fuel tank gauge had malfunctioned and had a tendency to hang up. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 1996, at 1500 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N6844Z, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power during initial climb while towing a glider. The tow pilot released the glider, and the glider landed uneventfully. Having insufficient altitude to return to the departure airstrip, the tow pilot made a forced landing on a nearby dirt road. During rollout, the airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Krey Field, Adelanto, California, at 1455. According to the pilot, he experienced the engine power loss at 700 feet above ground level. During rollout from the forced landing, the airplane collided with bushes. The pilot further reported that the "cause of the engine quitting was fuel starvation. The fuel tank was empty." The pilot also indicated that his airplane's fuel tank gauge had malfunctioned and it had a tendency to hang up. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6844Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6844Z), registered now, S/N 25-2516, built 1963 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-2516 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-G1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: John F. Krey - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1995, 181 hours before - Departed: 0CL1 - Airport: 0CL1, Krey Field, runway 25, 3,360 × 30 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,716 total, 2,600 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19960512010309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960512010309A), May 12, 1996: Piper PA25235, Adelanto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on glider tow. Released glider. Tow plane landed on dirt road. Collided with bushes. Fuel tank empty. 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.