# NTSB SEA07CA241: Piper PA-25-235, N8600L, Soda Springs, ID, August 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 25, 2007, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Soda Springs, ID - Coordinates: 42.648887, -111.621391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6489&lon=-111.6214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66518 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA241 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66518/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA241 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making and subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors were the terrain conditions (soft and rough/uneven) and the tailwind weather conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that he departed at approximately 0820 to apply mosquito larvicide to local wetlands. Upon completion of his application runs, he started a climb towards the airport and experienced a loss of engine power. He selected a spot for a forced landing, which proved to be pasture with heavy marsh grass, and too soft and rough for a downwind landing. During rollout, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane ground looped to the right. Postaccident evaluation of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear failed, a rib was bent in the right wing, and both wing tips were damaged. The pilot reported that the cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative The pilot said that he departed at approximately 0820 to apply mosquito larvicide to local wetlands. Upon completion of his application runs, he started a climb towards the airport and experienced a loss of engine power. He selected a spot for a forced landing, which proved to be pasture with heavy marsh grass, and too soft and rough for a downwind landing. During rollout, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane ground looped to the right. Postaccident evaluation of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear failed, a rib was bent in the right wing, and both wing tips were damaged. The pilot reported that the cause of the engine failure was fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8600L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8600L-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 25-5023, built 1969 (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: 25-5023 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hill AG Air - Registered owner: Curtis E. Hill - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: U70, Soda Springs, ID - Destination: U70, Soda Springs, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 601 total, 100 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: U78 ## 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 20070825018219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070825018219A), Aug 25, 2007: Piper PA25235, Soda Springs, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) During an aerial application operation, the pilot experienced power loss (due to fuel exhaustion) over a reservoir at less than 200 feet AGL. He then… ## Other investigations on N8600L (2) 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 WPR09CA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA315), Jun 27, 2009: Piper PA-25-235 (N8600L), Preston, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion that resulted from the pilot's inadequate fuel planning. - [NTSB MKC75DER06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75DER06), Jul 27, 1974: Piper PA-25 (N8600L), Moorhead, MN, 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.