Casualties unknown

Engine Failure and Stall Following Fuel Mismanagement and Auto Gas Use (N515TW)

Hesperia, CA, US

On July 14, 1991, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N515TW) operated by Kbmm Radio, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Hesperia, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REFUELING AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL CONTAMINATION AND THE INADVERTENT STALL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot drained water from the fuel tank six weeks prior, then refueled with auto gas without preflight inspection. Both engines failed at 150 ft AGL; the aircraft stalled in a nose-high attitude.

Background

Six weeks before the accident, the pilot was observed draining approximately one gallon of water from the aircraft's fuel tank. He did not fly during the intervening period until the day of the accident.

Fueling Incident

On the accident day, the pilot and a friend were observed refueling the aircraft with automobile gasoline. The engines were not certified by the FAA for use with auto gas.

Preflight Omissions

The pilot did not perform a preflight inspection nor drain the fuel from the tanks before departure.

Loss of Power and Stall

After takeoff, at about 150 feet above ground level, both engines failed. The pilot had adequate landing options available. However, he slowed the aircraft in a nose-high attitude until it stalled. The altitude did not permit recovery from the stall condition.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17573. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.