PIPER PA-17
Edwardsburg, MI — September 19, 2010
Event Information
| Date | September 19, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN10CA548 |
| Event ID | 20100920X12844 |
| Location | Edwardsburg, MI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 41.83583, -86.22500 |
| Airport | Private Airstrip |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-17 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel planning.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that the fuel gauge indicated about 1/2 tank during his preflight. He took a passenger for a 45-minute flight and landed. He reported that during the takeoff on the second flight, the airplane reached about 150 feet of altitude when the engine started to sputter and then quit. He started to turn back to the private airstrip, but the airplane started to stall to the left. He applied full right rudder and aileron. The airplane hit the ground in about a 30 degrees left wing low attitude which caused substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The inspection of the airplane revealed that there was no fuel in the tanks.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.