Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's inadequate fuel management. Factors to the accident were fuel starvation, the low altitude at the time of the loss of engine power, remedial action not possible by the pilot, and the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 30, 2000, at 1138 eastern daylight time, a Fairchild PT-26B, N53366, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing near Winn, Michigan. Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. The local flight departed Woodruff Lake Airport, Winn, Michigan, at 1130.
From a written report, the pilot stated, "Ran left tank dry engine quit running and did not have altitude enough left to switch tanks."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI00LA127