On August 2, 2001, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N4478Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Callaway, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight by departing without refueling the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot departed an airport without refueling, resulting in engine failure and a forced landing in a muddy cornfield where the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
What happened
The aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power while airborne, necessitating an emergency maneuver. The pilot elected to execute a forced landing in a nearby cornfield, noting that it was the only available area suitable for such a maneuver. Upon touchdown, the terrain conditions were described as muddy, which likely influenced the nature of the impact.
The investigation
Post-accident examination confirmed that the airplane sustained substantial damage during the emergency landing sequence. The physical evidence supported the pilot's account of the event and the specific location chosen for the landing.
Findings
The primary factor leading to this incident was the decision to depart without adequate fuel reserves. The pilot explicitly acknowledged omitting the refueling step prior to departure, which directly resulted in the inability to maintain engine operation during flight.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel for the flight by departing without refueling the airplane.