Piper PA25 N7366Z accident near Destin, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to manage the available fuel supply which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was conducting a routine banner tow flight in an airplane equipped with a main fuel tank as well as an auxiliary fuel tank that transferred fuel to the main fuel tank via a manually activated fuel pump. The pilot was distracted due to the air traffic control and the volume of air traffic in the area, and stated that he did not activate the auxiliary fuel tank transfer pump at the turnaround point where he typically would have during other banner tow flights. After about 3 hours of flight time, the engine lost power. The pilot was unsuccessful in his attempts to restart the engine, which included activating the fuel transfer pump during the descent. He subsequently ditched the airplane into the Gulf of Mexico, during which both of the airplane’s wings were substantially damaged.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA317 for the full record.