N33078

Substantial
None

PIPER J5AS/N: 5-426

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, August 27, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA09CA489
Location
Holland, MA
Event ID
20090828X62325
Coordinates
42.035556, -72.194442
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
5-426
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1940
Model / ICAO
J5AJ5
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
3
FAA Model
J5A

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
HORAN MARK E
Address
31 DICKERMAN AVE
City
WINDSOR LOCKS
State / Zip Code
CT 06096-1305
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that he began the day with an unknown quantity of fuel. Shortly after departing on his second flight of the day, the airplane suffered a complete loss of engine power. During the subsequent forced landing, the left main landing gear caught tall grass and ground-looped the airplane, which resulted in substantial damage to the left landing gear, left wing strut, and left lower fuselage. Post accident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed no odor of fuel, no fuel spillage, and 5 ounces of fuel in the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA489