1994-08-22: Piper PA-25-235 — Washington, NC

Casualties unknown • Washington, NC, US

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate inflight planning that resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the unsuitable terrain, a plowed field, available for landing.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED CHEMICAL SPRAYING, AND WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FOR REFUELING AND CHEMICAL RELOADING. WHILE ON A TWO MILE BASE LEG, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A TOBACCO FIELD, RESULTING IN A BENT WING SPAR. IN HIS REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS RELYING UPON THE FUEL GAUGE TO DETERMINE THE REMAINING FUEL QUANTITY, RATHER THAN ELAPSED TIME. ABOUT TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION. UNUSABLE FUEL IS PLACARDED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS TWO GALLONS.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-08-22 Piper PA-25-235 accident near Washington, NC?

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED CHEMICAL SPRAYING, AND WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FOR REFUELING AND CHEMICAL RELOADING. WHILE ON A TWO MILE BASE LEG, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A TOBACCO FIELD, RESULTING IN A BENT WING SPAR. IN HIS REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS RELYING UPON THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-08-22 involved a Piper PA-25-235, registration N7726Z, at Washington, NC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate inflight planning that resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the unsuitable terrain, a plowed field, available for landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01943. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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