PIPER PA-12
Wasilla, AK — May 17, 2011
Event Information
| Date | May 17, 2011 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ANC11CA033 |
| Event ID | 20110518X11314 |
| Location | Wasilla, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 61.62583, -149.33749 |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-12 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, resulting in a departure with the fuel selector in the "off" position, a subsequent loss of engine power, and an off-airport emergency landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot took off with the airplane's fuel selector inadvertently placed in the "off" position. He said that about 700 feet above the ground, the engine stopped. After unsuccessfully trying to restart the engine, he made an emergency landing on marshy ground, where the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and lift struts. The airplane's annual inspection was done on the previous day, and the pilot did not notice that the fuel selector had been moved to the "off" position.
After the fuel selector was put in the "on" position, the engine ran normally.
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.