Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-14 near Talkeetna, AK — 2010-08-26

Final reportANC10CA079
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Date
2010-08-26
Location
Talkeetna, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-14
Registration
N5114H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A faulty fuel quantity indication in-flight, which precipitated a precautionary off-airport landing, and collision with a road sign.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was on a personal cross country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot said he had fueled the airplane prior to take off, but the indications of the electric fuel gauges made him believe the airplane was losing fuel. He thought the airplane would not make it to the nearest airport, and he elected to make a precautionary landing on a state highway, which was the only suitable landing site in the remote area. He said both fuel gauges were reading empty, and traffic on the road made him land farther down the road than anticipated. During the landing roll, the left wing struck a road sign. He said the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, elevator, and right wing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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