The pilot was conducting a routine banner tow flight near Destin, Florida, in a Piper PA25 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.
He told investigators he was distracted due to air traffic control and the volume of air traffic in the area, and 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 three hours of flight time, the engine lost power.
His attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, including activating the fuel transfer pump during the descent.
He ditched the airplane into the Gulf of Mexico, during which both of the airplane’s wings were substantially damaged.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to manage the available fuel supply which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
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This September 2020 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Routinely monitor ALL of the instruments.