ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 210299
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Saturday 26 August 2017 |
| Time: | 14:00 |
| Type: |  Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser |
| Owner/operator: | Wrangell Mountain Air Inc. |
| Registration: | N3233M |
| MSN: | 12-2027 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1947 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3378 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320-A2B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Gulkana, AK -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Standing |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Remote Cabin, AK |
| Gulkana, AK (GKN) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was transporting hunters to a remote cabin. The flight was a 146-mile multileg flight, which departed with about 20 gallons of fuel, which he believed was sufficient for the approximate 2-hour flight with about 30 minutes for fuel reserve.
The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the flight, but he noted that, due to low stratus clouds and rain showers, he diverted from his planned flightpath. He added that, on the last leg of the flight, the unanticipated headwind component was about 15 to 25 mph. About 2 miles from his destination, fuel exhaustion occurred, and the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot deviated from his destination to a river to execute a forced landing. While on the base-to-final leg on landing approach, the headwind changed to a tailwind, and the airplane landed in a left-wing-low orientation.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate in-flight fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 2 September 2002 | N3233M | Grasshopper Aviation | 0 | CHICKALOON, Alaska | |
sub |
| 14 January 2010 | N3233M | Copper Valley Air Service LLC | 0 | Gulkana, Alaska | |
sub |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 01-May-2018 13:45 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation