ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 215435
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| Date: | Sunday 11 June 2017 |
| Time: | 16:30 |
| Type: |  Piper PA-25-260 Pawnee |
| Owner/operator: | Hood River Soaring |
| Registration: | N8578L |
| MSN: | 25-5004 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1969 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 13229 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-540-G1A5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Hood River, OR -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Standing |
| Nature: | Banner and glider towing |
| Departure airport: | Hood River, OR (4S2) |
| Hood River, OR (4S2) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
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.
Probable Cause: 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.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 17 June 2000 | N8578L | Soar Minden | 0 | COLEVILLE, California | |
sub |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Sep-2018 18:14 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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