# NTSB ERA22LA080: Piper PA-12, N3098M, Labelle, FL, November 30, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 30, 2021, 16:01 local (21:01 UTC) - Place: Labelle, FL - Coordinates: 26.685, -81.462778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6850&lon=-81.4628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104336/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104336 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA080 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper fuel system modification, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Maintenance: modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inadequate inspection - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Design (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed from a private field to refuel at a nearby airport which was about 6 nautical miles away. He stated that he had selected the left fuel tank for the flight as there was only residual fuel in the right tank. During the flight, the engine began to lose power like “it was starved for fuel” and he elected to land on an area of private property. During the landing, the airplane encountered a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A post-accident examination revealed that the left tank was full of fuel, the right fuel tank was empty and the fuel strainer and carburetor bowl were both devoid of fuel. Further examination revealed that during a fuel system modification, the fuel lines had been crossed and were connected to the wrong fuel selectors, which resulted in the engine drawing fuel from the right tank when the left tank was selected. When asked, the pilot stated that he completed the maintenance on the airplane and the fuel lines may have been “crossed up.” The airplane’s last annual inspection occurred in 2016. The pilot did not possess a valid medical certificate, flight review, or airframe and powerplant certificate, and had been flying, and working on the airplane which was certificated in the normal and utility category himself, without any annual inspections, since he purchased it in 2019. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040) - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050) - [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3098M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3098M), registered now, S/N 12-1784, 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: 12-1784 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 2191 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-C2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 2016, 102 hours before - Departed: 95FD, Fort Denaud, FL - Destination: X14, Labelle, FL - Airport: N/A - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,480 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: RSW, 19 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 20211130020029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211130020029A), Nov 30, 2021: Piper PA-12, Labelle, FL, Destroyed. Part 91 flight aircraft from [privacy data omitted] private runway, crashing in field Labelle, Florida. Piper PA-12 registration N30989M, serial number… ## Other investigations on N3098M (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 WPR10CA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA380), Aug 2, 2010: Piper PA-12 (N3098M), White Sulphur Springs, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control while attempting to avoid a herd of antelope crossing the runway during the landing rollout. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 24, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104336. 11.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13355504&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20(Signed)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements and interview summaries (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13362078&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Rel.pdf - Excerpts from Piper PA-12 handbook of operating limitations and information - fuel system (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13355878&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Piper%20PA-12%20Handbook%20of%20Operating%20limitations%20and%20Information%20-%20Fuel%20System-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - wreckage examination (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13356178&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Wreckage%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 18 pages, 8.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13878658&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20for%20Docket-Rel.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. --- 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.