MARTINSVILLE, TX, USA
N4944M
PIPER PA-20
REPORTEDLY, THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH 36 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD, OF WHICH, 10 GALS WAS AUTOMOBILE LOW LEAD FUEL. THE AUTOMOBILE FUEL HAD BEEN PURCHASED FROM AN OFF AIRPORT GASOLINE STATION, WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ACFT IN 5 GAL CANS, THEN ADDED TO THE FUEL TANKS WITH A FILTERED SPOUT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE BURNED FUEL FROM THE RIGHT TANK UNTIL THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE THE RIGHT GAGE INDICATED APRX 1/4 FULL. HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE & CONTINUED, USING THE LEFT TANK. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN WHEN THE LEFT FUEL GAGE INDICATE APRX 1/2 FULL. THE ACFT WAS OVER A HILLY & WOODED AREA AT 4500 FT MSL. THE PLT FOUND A SUITABLE AREA FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE RIGHT WING OF THE ACFT HIT A TREE SHORT OF THE AREA. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE GASCOLATOR WAS CLOGGED WITH UNIDENTIFIED CONTAMINANTS. THE GASCOLATOR WAS DRAINED & CHECKED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, 13 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. BEFORE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE ACFT HAD BEEN IN STORAGE FOR 10 YRS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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