Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI94LA006

FRANKFORT, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N6862Z

PIPER PA-25-235

Analysis

THE PILOT OF A GLIDER TOW PLANE DESCENDED FOR LANDING AT HOME FIELD. THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

Factual Information

On October 5, 1993, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N6862Z, operated by Northwest Soaring Club experienced loss of engine power during descent and landed short of the runway at Frankfort, Michigan. The solo commercial pilot reported no injury. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the glider tow flight. The local flight originated about 1550 without a flight plan and operated under 14 CFR 91. The pilot reported the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. No mechanical malfunction or failure was reported or found. When examined, the airplane contained less than a gallon of fuel and the fuel gage read empty. The pilot obtained a checkout in model the day before the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's failure to perform refueling.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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