N4610H

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-17S/N: 17-27

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, September 19, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA548
Location
Edwardsburg, MI
Event ID
20100920X12844
Coordinates
41.835834, -86.224998
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

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

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
17-27
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1948
Model / ICAO
PA-17PA17
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
PA-17

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
DUCK DONALD E
Address
21825 MASON ST
City
EDWARDSBURG
State / Zip Code
MI 49112-9744
Country
United States

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