# NTSB FTW03LA230: Piper PA-12, N3336M, Wayne, OK, September 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 2003, 16:16 local (21:16 UTC) - Place: Wayne, OK - Coordinates: 34.909351, -97.30941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9094&lon=-97.3094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Oklahoma City FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57978/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA230 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's failure to refuel. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence ## Analysis The 4,000-hour pilot reported that he climbed to approximately 2,500 feet, and the engine lost power. He then selected an open field and maneuvered to clear power lines. After landing in the field, the airplane impacted a pipe fence which bordered the field adjacent a highway. Subsequently, the airplane flipped over and came to rest on the west bound lane of the highway. According to entries in the flight log, the airplane was fueled to capacity (38 gallons) at 21.3 Hobbs meter time. Another 5 gallons of fuel was added at 24.5 Hobbs, and at the time of the accident the Hobbs read 26.0. According to the Lycoming Model O-320 engine Operator's Manual, at 2,450 RPM the fuel burn is 10.0 gph. Based on recorded Hobbs times, the airplane was operated about 4.7 hours from the re-fuelings to the accident. At a 10gph burn, the airplane would have used about 47 gallons of fuel in 4.7 hours of operating time. Flight log entries showed 38 gal at 21.3 Hobbs and 5 gal at 24.5 Hobbs, which equals 42 gals. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 2003, approximately 1616 central daylight time, a Piper PA-12 single-engine airplane, N3336M, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Wayne, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Pacer Field Airport (5OK4), near Goldsby, Oklahoma, at 1530, and was destined for Pauls Valley Municipal Airport, near Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 4,000-hour pilot reported that he climbed to approximately 2,500 feet, and the engine lost power. He then selected an open field and maneuvered to clear power lines. After landing in the field, the airplane impacted a pipe fence which bordered the field adjacent a highway. Subsequently, the airplane flipped over and came to rest on the west bound lane of the highway. An FAA inspector reviewed the pilot's flight log. According to entries in the flight log, the airplane was fueled to capacity (38 gallons) at 21.3 Hobbs meter time. Another 5 gallons of fuel was added at 24.5 Hobbs, and at the time of the accident the Hobbs read 26.0. According to the Lycoming Model O-320 engine Operator's Manual, at 2,450 RPM the fuel burn consumption is 10.0 gallons per hour. Based on recorded Hobbs times, the airplane was operated about 4.7 hours from the re-fuelings to the accident. At a 10 gph burn consumption, the airplane would have used about 47 gallons of fuel in 4.7 hours of operating time. Flight log entries showed 38 gal at 21.3 Hobbs and 5 gal at 24.5 Hobbs, which equals 42 gals. According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, the right wing struts were bent. The engine mounts were also bent, the engine was pushed up by the lower engine cowling from impact from the pipe fence. The propeller, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and landing gear were also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3336M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3336M), registered now, S/N 12-2194, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-2194 - Airframe hours: 2775.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Finley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 2003, 25.8 hours before - Departed: 5OK4, Pacer Field Air, OK - Destination: PVJ, Pauls Valley Mu, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 11, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 4,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: PVJ ## 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 20030919025259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030919025259A), Sep 19, 2003: Piper PA12, Wayne, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 19, 2003, at approximately 1616 CDT, a PA-12 made an emergency landing in a field just north of SH59 one mile west of I-35 near Wayne, OK.… 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.