Piper PA-12 N2528M

Summary

On 2 October 2001 at about 18:00 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N2528M was involved in an accident near Ashland, Maine, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 October 2001 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Ashland, Maine, United States

Coordinates

46.6300, -68.3996

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N2528M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fish Pond Lake → Patten

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC02LA003

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While en route to refuel, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power and impacted trees during the ensuing forced landing. The pilot said he departed when the airplane's fuel quantity gauges indicated that the right fuel tank was empty, and the left tank was "close to 1/2," which should have allow him to reach his destination; however, due to "heading winds" and the use of a "higher rpm," the airplane "ran out of fuel." The airplane experienced a loss of engine power and impacted trees during the ensuing forced landing. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Both fuel tanks remained intact and there was no evidence of a fuel spill. Approximately 1/2 gallon of fuel was observed in the airplane's fuel system. Additionally, the fuel line which connected from the airframe fuel filter to the carburetor was removed and contained "a few drops" of fuel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.