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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 19, 1993 · Piper PA-12 · N3680M

Iliamna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Iliamna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N3680M
Operator
Essex Charles P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC93LA181

THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION ABOUT ONE MILE SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION, WHERE HE WAS PLANNING TO REFUEL. THE OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE NOSING OVER. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO REACH HIS DESTINATION.

NTSB Probable Cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 19, 1993, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3680M, experienced a total loss of engine power, and nosed over during the subsequent forced landing, following fuel exhaustion during an approach to the airport at Iliamna, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed a remote site located about 20 miles west of Iliamna at 1245. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. Shortly after the accident during a telephone interview, the pilot stated the following in part: "I left my hunting partner and planned to fly to Iliamna to get fuel in the airplane. I knew the fuel was low in the airplane, but since Iliamna was so close, and I knew I would have a tailwind, I thought I would make it. I ran out of gas and the engine quit about a mile before I reached the runway. Upon touching down on the tundra, the airplane nosed over and was substantially damaged."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN3680M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEssex Charles P
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 12 kt
Visibility70 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data