Fuel exhaustion Accident Piper PA-25-260 N8531L, Tuesday 16 June 1998
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Date:Tuesday 16 June 1998
Time:20:00 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic PA25 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Piper PA-25-260
Owner/operator:Private
Registration: N8531L
MSN: 25-4950
Year of manufacture:1969
Total airframe hrs:4104 hours
Engine model:Lycoming O-540-G1A5
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:0
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Douglas, WY -   United States of America
Phase: Initial climb
Nature:Ferry/positioning
Departure airport:Spearfish, SD (KSPF)
Destination airport:Richfield, UT (KRIF)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
While on a ferry flight, approximately 20 miles from the airport where refueling was planned, the aircraft engine lost all power due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot landed in a field. He hitchhiked to the airport and purchased 15 gallons of fuel which was put in the aircraft. The pilot then attempted to takeoff from unsuitable terrain. The aircraft got about 4 feet in the air and dragged both wings on the terrain before the pilot re-landed and stopped the aircraft.

Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate judgement in attempting to takeoff from unsuitable rough terrain.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: FTW98LA270
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 2 years and 8 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB FTW98LA270

History of this aircraft

Other occurrences involving this aircraft

21 May 1999 N8531L Donald Blackham 0 Richfield, UT w/o
Collision with pole or wires

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
11-Mar-2024 12:59 ASN Update Bot Added

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