On August 16, 2002, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N9791P) was involved in an aviation accident near Boulder, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent loss of engine power, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot towing a glider experienced fuel exhaustion, performed a forced landing to a field, stalled from 8-10 feet, and nosed over. The engine was crushed back and left wing separated.
Incident
A pilot towing a glider experienced fuel exhaustion during the flight. The pilot had checked flight time and fuel gauges, including the fuel low level indicator light, before takeoff.
Sequence of Events
While towing a glider, the pilot encountered fuel exhaustion. He initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the approach, the wind changed from an estimated 15 to 20 knots to no wind as the aircraft neared the ground. The airplane stalled from approximately 8 to 10 feet above the ground, struck the ground, and nosed over.
Damage
The engine was crushed back, and the left wing separated from the fuselage. The calculated density altitude at the time of the accident was 11,361 feet.