N9011J

On July 2, 1998, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9011J, lost power and collided with trees, approximately 0.5 miles northeast of Craig Municipal Airport, Jacksonville Florida. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed St. Augustine, Florida at 1450 for a personal flight.

The pilot stated he had 1.5 to 2 hours of fuel available for the day. He flew to St. Augustine, had a private pilot checkride, and was returning to Jacksonville. He estimated the checkride took 45 minutes. According to the pilot, he was on final to runway 23 when the engine quit. He initiated emergency procedures by putting the mixture to rich and switching fuel tanks. The airplane struck the trees and the ground. The pilot stated he had 96 hours of total flight time.

According to the FAA, the pilot was returning from his private pilot certification. When the airplane turned on final for runway 23, about 0.75 miles from the runway, the pilot reported a loss of power and declared an emergency. The aircraft collided with trees approximately 0.5 miles from runway 23. The FAA inspector stated the pilot depleted the usable fuel in the left wing and lost power. The pilot attempted to switch to the right fuel tank, but was unable to restart the engine. The FAA inspector also stated that at the scene of the accident, fuel was dripping from the right wing, and no fuel was found in the intact left fuel tank.