# NTSB MIA08LA158: Piper PA-12, N3424M, N. Myrtle Beach, SC, August 1, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2008, 15:46 local (19:46 UTC) - Place: N. Myrtle Beach, SC - Coordinates: 33.811668, -78.723892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8117&lon=-78.7239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68597 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68597/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA158 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: 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-cruise: 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) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot flew the airplane for 45 minutes after filling the fuel tanks, then secured the airplane. Before the next departure, the operator advised the pilot twice to fuel the airplane; however, it was not fueled. The pilot departed on a banner-tow flight, during which time he reported monitoring the fuel level. Approximately 1 to 2 minutes after noticing the left and right fuel quantity gauges indicated "1/4" and "1/3" capacity respectively, the engine sputtered once then lost power. He notified air traffic control, released the banner, and ditched the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed that no fuel was present in the airplane's fuel tanks or carburetor. An unquantified amount of fuel was found in the gascolator. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2008, about 1546 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N3424M, registered to and operated by Barnstormer Flite Signs, Inc., experienced a total loss of engine power and was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean near Grand Strand Airport (CRE), North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 banner-tow flight from CRE. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 1300, from CRE. The pilot stated that earlier that day the fuel tanks were filled and he flew the airplane for 45 minutes, while remaining in the traffic pattern. He secured the airplane and after landing, the operator reportedly advised the pilot twice to fuel the airplane before departure. It was not fueled, and the pilot elected to depart on a banner-tow flight. While monitoring the fuel level during the flight, he noticed the left and right fuel quantity readings were "1/4" and "1/3," respectively. Approximately 1 to 2 minutes later, or at 1545, the engine sputtered once then quit. He notified CRE air traffic control tower that he would attempt to land on the runway and released the banner. After realizing that he was unable to reach the airport, he elected to ditch the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no fuel or water in the airplane's fuel tanks. The gascolator contained an unquantified amount of fuel only, and the carburetor contained only water. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3424M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3424M-2017-03-10), registration cancelled 2017-03-10, S/N 12-2288, 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: 12-2288 - Airframe hours: 105752.9 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Barnstormer Flite Signs Inc - Registered owner: Barnstormer Flite Signs Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 28, 2008 - Departed: CRE, N. Myrtle Beach, SC - Airport: CRE, Grand Strand Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 16, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 310 total, 4 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: CRE ## 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 20080801855359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080801855359A), Aug 1, 2008: Piper PA12, North Myrtle B, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he had 1/4 tank of fuel in left tank and 1/3 tank of fuel in the right tank just before the engine sputtered once and completely cut… ## Other investigations on N3424M (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 NYC72FIA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FIA01), Jul 25, 1971: Piper PA-12 (N3424M), Arcola, VA, substantial damage 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.