MORIARITY, NM, USA
N7469Z
Piper PA-25-235
The airplane took off from runway 26 on the fifth glider tow of the day. While climbing through 400 feet AGL, the engine lost power and the pilot executed a forced landing to a pasture. During touchdown, the airplane crossed a dirt road and the left main gear collapsed. The pilot stated that he performed a detailed preflight of the airplane prior to the first tow of the day, and found that the aircraft was serviced with 20 gallons of fuel. He further stated that 20 gallons is normally sufficient for 6 or 7 tows, but on the day of the accident the tows were 'exceptionally long due to the general subsidence of the air mass along with high density altitude.' Examination of the fuel system revealed that both fuel cells were empty.
On July 27, 1996, at 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7469Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Moriarity, New Mexico. The airplane was owned and operated by the Albuquerque Soaring Club Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the glider towing flight. The flight originated at the Moriarity Airport, approximately 3 minutes prior to the accident. According to an officer of the soaring club, the airplane took off from runway 26 on the fifth tow of the day. After executing a slight left turn, while climbing through approximately 400 feet AGL, the engine lost power. The pilot rocked the wings 3 times to signal to the glider to release and proceeded to execute a forced landing to an open pasture 2 miles southwest of the airport. During touchdown, the airplane crossed a dirt road with a double track of 8 inches deep set of tire tracks running perpendicular to the path of the airplane. The left main gear collapsed resulting in structural damage to the left wing and airframe. The glider being towed released from the tow plane and landed at the airport without further incident. In the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he performed a detailed preflight of the airplane prior to the first tow of the day and found that the aircraft was serviced with 20 gallons of fuel. He further stated that 20 gallons is normally sufficient for 6 or 7 tows, but on the day of the accident the tows were "exceptionally long due to the general subsidence of the air mass along with high density altitude." Examination of the fuel system revealed that both fuel cells were empty.
loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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