Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-12 near Wasilla, AK — 2011-05-17

Final reportANC11CA033
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Date
2011-05-17
Location
Wasilla, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-12
Registration
N7690H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

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.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he departed with the airplane's fuel selector inadvertently placed in the "off" position. When the airplane was about 700 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. 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 completed 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 placed in the "on" position, the engine ran normally.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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