NAKNEK, AK, USA
N7049K
Piper PA-20
The pilot departed on a local flight in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 1/4 tank of fuel visible in the left fuel tank sight gauge. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. The right tank contained a small amount of fuel. While in cruise flight, the engine suddenly quit, and the pilot switched to the right fuel tank. The engine started, and ran for another 3 minutes, but quit running a second time. The pilot selected an open area of tundra and performed a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane's right main landing gear was broken from the fuselage. The pilot later reported that he departed with 18 gallons of fuel. The pilot said he encountered unexpected head winds, and switched fuel tanks to his reserve tank. The engine ran a few minutes, and then quit. The pilot reported an inspection of the airplane revealed a restriction in the fuel gauge, producing a false reading.
On October 20, 1997, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-20, N7049K, crashed during a forced landing about 15 miles south of Naknek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Naknek Airport, Naknek, Alaska, about 1600. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 22, 1997, at 0920, the pilot reported he was flying about 600 to 700 feet above the ground. The pilot indicated he departed on the accident flight with 1/4 tank of fuel visible in the left fuel tank sight gauge. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. The right tank contained a small amount of fuel. While in cruise flight, the engine suddenly quit, and the pilot switched to the right fuel tank. The engine started, and ran for another 3 minutes, but quit running a second time. The pilot selected an open area of tundra, and performed a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane's right main landing gear was broken from the fuselage. The airplane received additional damage to the engine, propeller, the right wing lift struts, and the right wing aileron. In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, he indicated the flight departed with 18 gallons of fuel. The pilot encountered unexpected head winds, and switched fuel tanks to his reserve tank. The engine ran a few minutes, and then quit. The pilot reported an inspection of the airplane revealed a restriction in the fuel gauge, producing a false reading.
The loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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