NTSB Factual Report

On September 2, 2001, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N7247Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing while approaching Warren-Sugarbush Airport (0B7), Warren, Vermont. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed for the local glider-towing flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, the accident occurred during the last of five glider tow flights. During that flight, he released the glider at 2,500 feet, about 2 1/2 miles from the airport. He then made a descending, 270-degree left turn. As he rolled the airplane out of the turn, the engine sputtered for a few seconds and stopped. It restarted and ran for a few seconds, then finally stopped. The pilot established the airplane in a 75-mph glide, and turned it directly towards the airport. He cycled the magneto switches, throttle, and mixture controls; however, the engine did not restart. The airplane touched down about 300 yards east of the runway, on a heading of 010 degrees. During rollout, the airplane collided with a paddock fence.

The pilot also stated that prior to the first flight, the float-type fuel gauge had indicated approximately 1/4 full. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, no fuel was found in the airplane after the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.