# NTSB GAA17CA511: Piper PA 12, N3233M, Gulkana, AK, August 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 26, 2017, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Gulkana, AK - Coordinates: 62.169166, -145.410278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1692&lon=-145.4103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95902 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA511 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95902/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95902 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA511 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate in-flight fuel planning, 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. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); 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) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was transporting hunters to a remote cabin. The flight was a 146-mile multileg flight, which departed with about 20 gallons of fuel, which he believed was sufficient for the approximate 2-hour flight with about 30 minutes for fuel reserve. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the flight, but he noted that, due to low stratus clouds and rain showers, he diverted from his planned flightpath. He added that, on the last leg of the flight, the unanticipated headwind component was about 15 to 25 mph. About 2 miles from his destination, fuel exhaustion occurred, and the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot deviated from his destination to a river to execute a forced landing. While on the base-to-final leg on landing approach, the headwind changed to a tailwind, and the airplane landed in a left-wing-low orientation. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane was transporting hunters to a remote cabin. The flight was a multi-leg flight and consisted of about 146 miles. The flight departed with about 20 gallons of fuel for the 2.5 hours of flight time, and about 36 minutes for fuel reserve. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed during the flight, but he noted that due to low stratus clouds and rain showers, he diverted from his planned flight path. He added that on the last leg of the flight, the unanticipated head wind component was about 15-25 mph. About 2 miles from his destination, fuel exhaustion occurred, and the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot deviated from his destination to the copper river to execute a forced landing. While on the base to final leg on landing approach, the headwind changed to a tailwind, and the airplane landed in a left wing low orientation. A postaccident exam of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3233M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3233M), registered now, S/N 12-2027, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 12 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-2027 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3378.7 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Wrangell Mountain Air Inc. - Registered owner: Joel Boniek - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 2017 - Departed: Remote Cabin, AK - Destination: GKN, GULKANA, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2017; seat: front; flight hours: 14,000 total, 210 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 314 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 6.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.57 inHg - Observed at: PAGK ## 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 20170826013649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170826013649A), Aug 26, 2017: Piper PA-12, Gulkana, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot-in-charge (PIC) of aircraft N3233M flying part 135 operated by wrangell mountain air (WM9C) departed windy ridge air strip (nw of Mt. Sanford) for… ## Other investigations on N3233M (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 ANC10LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10LA012), Jan 14, 2010: Piper PA-12 (N3233M), Gulkana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in structural damage to the airplane during landing. - [NTSB ANC07LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA018), Feb 1, 2007: Piper PA-12 (N3233M), Glennallen, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to preclude a stall while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the… - [NTSB ANC02LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA113), Sep 3, 2002: Piper PA-12 (N3233M), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll, which precipitated a nose over. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95902. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460874&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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. --- 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.