# NTSB WPR14CA389: Piper PA25 - 260, N8555L, Mokuleia, HI, September 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 24, 2014, 11:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Mokuleia, HI - Coordinates: 21.300268, -157.850662 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3003&lon=-157.8507&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90157 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA389 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90157/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90157 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA389 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight planning and reliance of fuel gauge readings, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to the glider tow flight, the pilot estimated that he had about 45 minutes of fuel on board; he also estimated that the flight would take about 12 minutes. The pilot reported that he did not visually check the fuel level prior to departing, but relied on the sight gauge. After releasing the glider and while in the descent, the engine lost power. Judging that he could not make the airport, the pilot landed just off shore in the ocean surf. A postaccident examination of the engine and propeller revealed no apparent damage to the propeller, and that when rotated there were no abnormal sounds detected from the engine. An examination of the airframe revealed that both ailerons were damaged, the fuselage was deformed, and the rudder was damaged. Additionally, when the fuel tank was inspected, which had not been breached, it was observed to be empty. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative Prior to the glider tow flight, the pilot estimated that he had about 45 minutes of fuel on board; he also estimated that the flight would take about 12 minutes. The pilot reported that he did not visually check the fuel level prior to departing, but relied on the sight gauge. After releasing the glider and while in the descent, the engine lost power. Judging that he could not make the airport, the pilot landed just off shore in the ocean surf. A postaccident examination of the engine and propeller revealed no apparent damage to the propeller, and that when rotated there were no abnormal sounds detected from the engine. An examination of the airframe revealed that both ailerons were damaged, the fuselage was deformed, and the rudder was damaged. Additionally, when the fuel tank was inspected, which had not been breached, it was observed to be empty. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8555L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8555L), registered now, S/N 25-4976, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA25 - 260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming L-540-T4B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-l-540-t4b5) (registry code 41563, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-4976 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Glider tow, Part 91 - Operator: Arco Flight International - Registered owner: North Shore Aircraft Leasing Co LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: HDH, Mokuleia, HI - Destination: HDH, Mokuleia, HI - Airport: HDH, Dillingham Airfield, runway 080, 9,007 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,760 total, 6 in this make and model, 17,552 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: HHI, 10 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 20140924019799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140924019799A), Sep 24, 2014: Piper PA-25-260, Waialua, HI, Substantial damage. The pilot departed hdh airfield at 11:10 am on a glider tow to 3000 feet. During the descent at approximately 2000 feet the aircraft lost power. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N8555L (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 FTW75DQG31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75DQG31), Oct 5, 1974: Piper PA-25 (N8555L), Roarng Sprngs, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90157. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419308&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector’s Statement (item 3, .PDF, 270 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%E2%80%99s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.