Aviation Crash Map

Piper PA-25-235 N906DS

26 April 1999 · Wendover, Utah, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 26 April 1999 at about 21:15 local time, a Piper PA-25-235 registered N906DS, operated by David S. Sheppard, was involved in an accident near Wendover, Utah, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 21:15
Classification
Accident
Location
Wendover, Utah, United States
Nearest airport
Wendover Airport (ENV)
Coordinates
40.8193, -113.5706
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Registration
N906DS
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
David S. Sheppard
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Ferry
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Brigham City → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
DEN99LA065

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper preflight/in-flight planning and decision making, resulting in fuel supply exhaustion. A factor was the closed runway condition.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While inbound to land at Wendover Airport, the pilot was advised that the airport was temporarily closed due to equipment on the runway. The pilot observed that the fuel tank was indicating 6 to 8 gallons remaining. He circled the airport for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, at which time the fuel gauge indicated zero. He advised the airport that he needed to land immediately, and they agreed to remove the equipment. While turning onto final approach for landing, the engine quit and the aircraft landed hard short of the runway. Several engine examinations were performed following the accident. During one exam, 3 gallons of fuel was added to the fuel tank and no leaks were observed. The fuel tank was also filled with water and again no leaks were found. In a third exam, the fuel tank was filled with 4 gallons of fuel. The engine was test run and no discrepancies were observed. According to FAA records, the pilot had two previous mishaps involving improper fuel management.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Piper PA-25 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
8 Jul 1999 Piper PA-25-260
N8561L
Wallis, Texas, United States Double L Flying Service No injuries -
22 Jul 1999 Piper PA-25-235
N6736Z
Fabens, Texas, United States Eagle AG Service Serious injuries -
21 Aug 1999 Piper PA-25
N6249Z
Salida, Colorado, United States - Serious injuries -
13 Jul 1999 Piper PA-25-235
N4590Y
McVille, North Dakota, United States - Minor injuries -
21 May 1999 Piper PA-25-260
N8531L
Richfield, Utah, United States - No injuries -
12 Jul 1999 Piper PA-25-235
N7329Z
Lefor, North Dakota, United States - No injuries -

All 1,925 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
17 Aug 1999 Piper PA-28-181
N8262S
Tooele, Utah, United States Proflight No injuries -
24 Dec 1999 Boeing 737-347
N305WA
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Delta Airlines No injuries -
16 Jul 1999 Cessna T210M
N6029N
Cedar City, Utah, United States
no coordinates
Gary G. Sackett No injuries -
22 Aug 1999 Cessna 180
N1630C
Heber City, Utah, United States - No injuries -
18 Sep 1999 Cessna 152
N65602
Murray, Utah, United States Edith E. Steele No injuries -
2 Nov 1999 Piper PA-18-150
N4285Z
Bullfrog, Utah, United States James M. Elegante No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States