Summary
On September 19, 2010, a Piper PA-17 (N4610H) was involved in an incident near Edwardsburg, MI. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel planning.
The pilot reported that the fuel gauge indicated about 1/2 tank during his preflight. He took a passenger for a 45-minute flight and landed. He reported that during the takeoff on the second flight, the airplane reached about 150 feet of altitude when the engine started to sputter and then quit. He started to turn back to the private airstrip, but the airplane started to stall to the left. He applied full right rudder and aileron. The airplane hit the ground in about a 30 degrees left wing low attitude which caused substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The inspection of the airplane revealed that there was no fuel in the tanks.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN10CA548. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4610H.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel planning.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that the fuel gauge indicated about 1/2 tank during his preflight. He took a passenger for a 45-minute flight and landed. He reported that during the takeoff on the second flight, the airplane reached about 150 feet of altitude when the engine started to sputter and then quit. He started to turn back to the private airstrip, but the airplane started to stall to the left. He applied full right rudder and aileron. The airplane hit the ground in about a 30 degrees left wing low attitude which caused substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The inspection of the airplane revealed that there was no fuel in the 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# CEN10CA548