# NTSB ANC93LA181: Piper PA-12, N3680M, Iliamna, AK, September 19, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 1993, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.849685, -154.560592 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8497&lon=-154.5606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2431 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2431/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA181 ## Probable cause TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, approach - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION ABOUT ONE MILE SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION, WHERE HE WAS PLANNING TO REFUEL. THE OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE NOSING OVER. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO REACH HIS DESTINATION. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 19, 1993, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-12 airplane, N3680M, experienced a total loss of engine power, and nosed over during the subsequent forced landing, following fuel exhaustion during an approach to the airport at Iliamna, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed a remote site located about 20 miles west of Iliamna at 1245. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. Shortly after the accident during a telephone interview, the pilot stated the following in part: "I left my hunting partner and planned to fly to Iliamna to get fuel in the airplane. I knew the fuel was low in the airplane, but since Iliamna was so close, and I knew I would have a tailwind, I thought I would make it. I ran out of gas and the engine quit about a mile before I reached the runway. Upon touching down on the tundra, the airplane nosed over and was substantially damaged." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3680M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3680M), registered now, S/N 12-2631, built 1947 (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: 12-2631 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Essex, Charles P. - Registered owner: Essex, Charles P. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 170 total, 100 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ILI, 1 nm away ## 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 19930919034829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930919034829A), Sep 19, 1993: Piper STCPA12, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel one mile short of fueling airport. ## Other investigations on N3680M (1) 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 ANC95LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA047), Apr 7, 1995: Piper PA-12 (N3680M), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE REAR PILOT'S STATION NOT HAVING BRAKES INSTALLED. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.