Initial Probe Focuses On Pawnee's Fuel System

The NTSB has issues its preliminary report in an accident involving a Piper Pawnee airplane belonging to a banner towing company in Jacksonville, FL on the last day of December, 2011. The accident resulted in the fatal injury to the pilot of the airplane when it went down in a shopping center parking lot across the street from Jacksonville Executive Airport at Craig Field. The prelim indicates that the investigation may focus on the airplane's fuel system, while a store security video depicts a pretty classic departure stall/spin just before impact.

NTSB Identification: ERA12FA130
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, December 31, 2011 in Jacksonville, FL
Aircraft: PIPER PA-25-235, registration: N7408Z
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On December 31, 2011, at 1111 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7408Z, operated by Flying Weaners Inc, was substantially damaged when it crashed in a parking lot and struck a parked vehicle in Jacksonville, Florida. The airplane had departed from the Craig Municipal Airport (CRG) just prior to the accident. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The local banner tow flight was conducted under the provision of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to several eyewitnesses and a local business security video, the airplane had departed, attempted to pick up the banner once and was unable to do so. On the second attempt the airplane picked up the banner and began the initial climb. When the airplane was approximately 300 feet above ground level the banner was released over airport property, the airplane turned to the left at an approximate 60 degree bank turn, and then began to spin to the right. The airplane was observed on the security video in a right spin, prior to impacting the ground and a parked vehicle.

The airplane impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. Continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces from the base of the control column and rudder pedals to their respective control surfaces. The engine remained attached to the firewall; however, the 2-bladed propeller was impact separated and was located approximately 10 feet forward of the main wreckage. The outboard 14 inches of one propeller tip was impact separated and was located directly beneath the airplane's engine. The airplane's fuel tank was breached and devoid of fuel; however, a blue fluid similar to the color of 100 LL aviation fuel was observed at the fuel strainer and underbelly of the airplane. The airplane was also equipped with a 21 gallon ferry bladder tank located in the agricultural chemical hopper directly in front of the cockpit. The fuel tank contained approximately 4 gallons of blue fluid similar to 100 LL aviation fuel and was not compromised. The fuel line leading from the ferry tank to the airplane's fuel tank consisted of clear tubing with a shutoff valve and a transfer pump. The shutoff valve was found in the "ON" position and fuel was leaking from the fittings between the valve and pump.

A Garmin 396 Global Positioning System receiver was located in the airplane and retained for download at the Safety Board's Recorders laboratory.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov