# NTSB MIA92LA138: Piper PA-12, N7979H, Bradenton, FL, June 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1992, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Bradenton, FL
- Location: 27.4898° N, 82.5768° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bradenton, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4898&lon=-82.5768&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA138

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING A GO-AROUND FROM A BANNER DROP.  DURING A SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD.  A POST-CRASH EXAM REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT HAD ONLY 1 GALLON OF FUEL REMAINING.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE WAS FOUND.  AFTER RECOVERY OF THE AIRCRAFT, A FUEL SOURCE WAS SUPPLIED, AND THE ENGINE STARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7979H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7979H), registered now, S/N 12-864 (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: 12-864
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Corkleigh E. White
- Registered owner: Corkleigh E. White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 17,000 total, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 2 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 19920613020119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920613020119A), Jun 13, 1992: Piper PA12, Bradenton, FL, Substantial damage. While trying to release banner engine quit. Crash landed with banner attached. Fuel tanks empty usable fuel.

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.

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