Piper PA-25-235 accident near Adelanto, California, May 12, 1996
On May 12, 1996 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-25-235, registered N6844Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Adelanto, California (Krey Field). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
fuel exhaustion as a result of an improper preflight inspection and operating with a known malfunctioning fuel gauge.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 1996 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Adelanto, California · Krey Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-25-235 · all PA-25-235s on the register
- Registration
- N6844Z · registry record · serial 25-2516
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During initial climb at 700 feet above ground level, the tow pilot experienced a total loss of engine power while towing a glider. The pilot released the glider which landed uneventfully. The tow pilot reported that he was unable to return to the departure airstrip, so he made a forced landing on a nearby dirt road. During rollout, the airplane collided with bushes and was substantially damaged. The pilot further indicated his airplane's engine quit because the fuel tank was empty. The pilot reported that the fuel tank gauge had malfunctioned and had a tendency to hang up.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,716 hours in all; 2,600 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 3,400 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 30, 1995; 181 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-G1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0CL1 at 9:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 3,360 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.