ILIAMNA, AK, USA
N3680M
PIPER PA-12
THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION ABOUT ONE MILE SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION, WHERE HE WAS PLANNING TO REFUEL. THE OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE NOSING OVER. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO REACH HIS DESTINATION.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 19, 1993, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3680M, experienced a total loss of engine power, and nosed over during the subsequent forced landing, following fuel exhaustion during an approach to the airport at Iliamna, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed a remote site located about 20 miles west of Iliamna at 1245. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. Shortly after the accident during a telephone interview, the pilot stated the following in part: "I left my hunting partner and planned to fly to Iliamna to get fuel in the airplane. I knew the fuel was low in the airplane, but since Iliamna was so close, and I knew I would have a tailwind, I thought I would make it. I ran out of gas and the engine quit about a mile before I reached the runway. Upon touching down on the tundra, the airplane nosed over and was substantially damaged."
TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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