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December 12, 1999 · Piper PA-22-108 · N5279Z

Wales, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wales, ME
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-108
Tail Number
N5279Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC00LA051

During the initial climb after takeoff, the airplane's engine sputtered, and then lost total power. The pilot initiated a right turn and performed a forced landing to a field. After the accident, 5 gallons of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank, and 7 gallons of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed a total blockage in the left fuel tank's aft feed line in the vicinity a bend near the fuel tank connection. According to the FAA Inspector's report, '...the bend in the line was clogged with what appeared to be hard packed sand....' There were no other pre-impact discrepancies noted. The pilot said he had selected the left fuel tank for the takeoff, as per the Airplane's Operating Handbook. Additionally, the pilot stated that the airplane had been flown for about 15 to 20 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 2 months before the accident. For about 6 weeks prior to the annual inspection, the airplane was parked in a 'T-Hangar' with both wings removed.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel exhaustion due to a blocked fuel feed line.

Full Narrative

On December 12, 1999, about 1530 Eastern Standard Time, a Piper PA-22-108, N5279Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after it lost engine power during the initial climb after takeoff from the Wales Airport, Wales, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for the Twitchell Airport, Turner, Maine. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane departed Runway 04, a 2,100 foot long, 80 foot wide turf runway. According to the pilot, when the airplane reached about 200 feet above the ground, the airplane's engine sputtered, and then lost total power. The pilot initiated a right turn and performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing the airplane contacted the top of a knoll and nosed over. Examination of the wreckage was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. After the accident, 5 gallons of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank, and 7 gallons of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed a total blockage in the left fuel tank's aft feed line in the vicinity a bend near the fuel tank connection. According to the FAA Inspector's report, "...the bend in the line was clogged with what appeared to be hard packed sand...." There were no other pre-impact discrepancies noted. In a follow-up interview, the pilot said he had selected the left fuel tank for the takeoff, as per the Airplane's Operating Handbook. Additionally, the pilot stated that the airplane had been flown for about 15 to 20 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed on October 22, 1999. For about 6 weeks prior to the annual inspection, the airplane was parked in a "T-Hangar" with both wings removed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EST
Nearest AirportWALES (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length2100 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-108
Tail NumberN5279Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data