Summary
On May 17, 2011, a Piper PA-12 (N7690H) was involved in an accident near Wasilla, AK. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, resulting in a departure with the fuel selector in the "off" position, a subsequent loss of engine power, and an off-airport emergency landing.
The pilot took off with the airplane's fuel selector inadvertently placed in the "off" position. He said that about 700 feet above the ground, the engine stopped. After unsuccessfully trying to restart the engine, he made an emergency landing on marshy ground, where the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and lift struts. The airplane's annual inspection was done on the previous day, and the pilot did not notice that the fuel selector had been moved to the "off" position.
After the fuel selector was put in the "on" position, the engine ran normally.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ANC11CA033. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7690H.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, resulting in a departure with the fuel selector in the "off" position, a subsequent loss of engine power, and an off-airport emergency landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot took off with the airplane's fuel selector inadvertently placed in the "off" position. He said that about 700 feet above the ground, the engine stopped. After unsuccessfully trying to restart the engine, he made an emergency landing on marshy ground, where the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and lift struts. The airplane's annual inspection was done on the previous day, and the pilot did not notice that the fuel selector had been moved to the "off" position.
After the fuel selector was put in the "on" position, the engine ran normally.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC11CA033