Piper PA25 N8578L

Summary

On 11 June 2017 at about 23:30 local time, a Piper PA25 registered N8578L, operated by Hood River Soaring, was involved in an accident near Hood River, Oregon, 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.

Date

11 June 2017 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hood River, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Ken Jernstedt Airfield (4S2)

Coordinates

45.6650, -121.5211

Aircraft

Piper PA25

Registration

N8578L

Category

Airplane

Year built

1969

Engines

1

Operator

Hood River Soaring

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Glider Tow

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hood River → Hood River

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA331

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to visually check the fuel level prior to takeoff and subsequent mismanagement of the available fuel supply during numerous glider tow flights.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The glider tow pilot reported that, during preflight, the fuel indicator read "2/3 full" and he had a "brief discussion" with the previous pilot who had just completed numerous glider tow flights without refueling. He added that a fuel dipstick was not available, and a visual check of the fuel quantity was not completed during preflight. He further added that on the 10th glider tow flight, which was about 2 hours of flight time, he noted a "low fuel indication in flight just prior to glider release." Subsequently, the glider released and during the return to the airport, about 2 nautical miles from the runway and about 1,900 above ground, the engine lost power. The pilot reported that due to the quartering headwind aloft he did not believe he could make the runway, so he attempted to land on an open pasture, but struck trees and impacted terrain about "50 yards short of [the] pasture." The fuselage, elevator, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.