2001-04-07: Piper PA-25-235 — Night Hawk Aerial Advertising — Pearland, TX

Casualties unknown • Pearland, TX, US

Probable cause

the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion while in the traffic pattern.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot returned to his home base after a banner towing flight. He experienced difficulty releasing the banner and landed on the grass between two runways. He dragged the banner on the ground and it eventually released; however, he was too close to the end of the runway to stop, so he performed a go-around. While he was in the traffic pattern, "he ran out of fuel" and the engine "quit." The pilot was unable to make it back to the runway and elected to make a forced landing into trees in a residential area. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the trees.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2001-04-07 Piper PA-25-235 accident near Pearland, TX?

The pilot returned to his home base after a banner towing flight. He experienced difficulty releasing the banner and landed on the grass between two runways. He dragged the banner on the ground and it eventually released; however, he was too close to the end of the runway to stop, so he performed a go-around. While…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-04-07 involved a Piper PA-25-235, registration N4514Y, operated by Night Hawk Aerial Advertising, at Pearland, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion while in the traffic pattern.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010409X00724. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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