# NTSB ANC11CA033: Piper PA-12, N7690H, Wasilla, AK, May 17, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 17, 2011, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Coordinates: 61.625831, -149.337493
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6258&lon=-149.3375&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79132/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79132
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA033

## 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.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md)
- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

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.

## Factual 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7690H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7690H), registered now, S/N 12-580, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-580
- Airframe hours: 3261
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pendergrass Joseph M
- Registered owner: Pendergrass Joseph M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2011
- Departed: AK59, Wasilla, AK
- Destination: Wasilla, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 6, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 5,700 total, 154 in this make and model, 5,510 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20110517009849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110517009849A), May 17, 2011: Piper PA-12, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. 5/17/2011 N7690H departed small strip in Wasilla, AK. On a part 91 flight. During climb engine sputtered and quit. The aircraft landed and then overturned. One…

## Other investigations on N7690H (3)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA18CA535](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA535), Sep 5, 2018: Piper PA 12 (N7690H), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control on uneven terrain during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.
- [NTSB ANC94LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA069), Jun 13, 1994: Piper PA-12 (N7690H), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE USE OF THE WHEEL BRAKES.
- [NTSB ANC81DAG47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG47), Jun 30, 1981: Piper PA-12 (N7690H), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79132. 554 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 528 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349526&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Additional Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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