# NTSB NYC01LA222: Piper PA-25, N7247Z, Warren, VT, September 2, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 2001, 12:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Warren, VT - Coordinates: 44.12091, -72.849571 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1209&lon=-72.8496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA222 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53164/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA222 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - fluid,fuel - starvation/exhaustion - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the fuel gauge indicated about 1/4 tank full prior to the first of five glider tow flights. During the last flight, the pilot released the glider at 2,500 feet, about 2 1/2 miles from the takeoff airport. He then made a descending, 270-degree left turn. As he rolled the airplane out of the turn, the engine sputtered for a few seconds and stopped. It restarted and ran for a few seconds, then finally stopped. The pilot established the airplane in a 75-mph glide, and turned it directly towards the airport. He cycled the magneto switches, throttle, and mixture controls; however, the engine did not restart. The airplane touched down about 300 yards east of the runway and collided with a paddock fence. No fuel was found in the airplane after the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 2001, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N7247Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing while approaching Warren-Sugarbush Airport (0B7), Warren, Vermont. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed for the local glider-towing flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the accident occurred during the last of five glider tow flights. During that flight, he released the glider at 2,500 feet, about 2 1/2 miles from the airport. He then made a descending, 270-degree left turn. As he rolled the airplane out of the turn, the engine sputtered for a few seconds and stopped. It restarted and ran for a few seconds, then finally stopped. The pilot established the airplane in a 75-mph glide, and turned it directly towards the airport. He cycled the magneto switches, throttle, and mixture controls; however, the engine did not restart. The airplane touched down about 300 yards east of the runway, on a heading of 010 degrees. During rollout, the airplane collided with a paddock fence. The pilot also stated that prior to the first flight, the float-type fuel gauge had indicated approximately 1/4 full. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, no fuel was found in the airplane after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7247Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7247Z-2019-02-04), registration cancelled 2019-02-04, S/N 25-3176, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25 - 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: 25-3176 - Airframe hours: 4873 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Redtail Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 2001, 21 hours before - Departed: 0B7, Warren, VT - Airport: 0B7, Warren Sugerbush ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 23, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,346 total, 64 in this make and model, 1,272 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: MVL, 25 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 20010902023749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010902023749A), Sep 2, 2001: Piper PA25235, Warren, VT, Substantial damage. (-23) After releasing a glider at 2500 feet MSL while conducting glider towing operatons, the pilot executed a descending turn back toward the airport (0B7).… ## Other investigations on N7247Z (3) 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 GAA18CA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA222), Apr 22, 2018: Piper PA 25-235 (N7247Z), Saratoga Springs, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider pilot’s failure to maintain pitch during a CG aerotow, which resulted in the loss of control of the tow airplane. - [NTSB CHI73FCA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FCA01), Sep 30, 1972: Piper PA-25 (N7247Z), Dorsey, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC68D0027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68D0027), Jun 17, 1967: Piper PA-25 (N7247Z), Cauker City, KS, 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. --- 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.