Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
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."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC93LA181