NTSB Factual Report

On April 6, 2001, at 1930 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee single-engine airplane, N4514Y, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees in a residential area during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on approach at Clover Field, Pearland, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated by Night Hawk Aerial Advertising of Pearland, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 banner towing flight. The local flight originated from Clover Field at 1715.

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot stated that he returned to Clover Field after a banner towing flight over downtown Houston. He stated that he experienced difficulty releasing the banner and landed on the grass between runways 14L and 14R. He stated that he dragged the banner on the ground and it eventually released; however, he was too close to the end of the runway to stop, so he performed a go-around. The pilot told the FAA inspector that while he was in the traffic pattern "he ran out of fuel" and the engine "quit." The pilot was unable to make it back to the runway and elected to make a forced landing into trees in a residential area. The airplane impacted the trees, its left wing separated, and the right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion while in the traffic pattern.