# NTSB NYC02LA003: Piper PA-12, N2528M, Ashland, ME, October 2, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 2001, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Ashland, ME - Coordinates: 46.630043, -68.399612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6300&lon=-68.3996&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 53569 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53569/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA003 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis While en route to refuel, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power and impacted trees during the ensuing forced landing. The pilot said he departed when the airplane's fuel quantity gauges indicated that the right fuel tank was empty, and the left tank was "close to 1/2," which should have allow him to reach his destination; however, due to "heading winds" and the use of a "higher rpm," the airplane "ran out of fuel." The airplane experienced a loss of engine power and impacted trees during the ensuing forced landing. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Both fuel tanks remained intact and there was no evidence of a fuel spill. Approximately 1/2 gallon of fuel was observed in the airplane's fuel system. Additionally, the fuel line which connected from the airframe fuel filter to the carburetor was removed and contained "a few drops" of fuel. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 2001, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N2528M, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Ashland, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for the Shin Pond Seaplane Base (85B), Patten, Maine. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said the airplane's fuel tanks were "topped off" on September 29, 2001, at 85B, before a flight to "Fish River Lake, Moose Point Lodge." The following day, the pilot flew to East Grand Lake, Orient, Maine, and then returned to Fish River Lake. The morning of the accident, the pilot conducted a 1 hour local fight, and then departed Fish River Lake with the intention of refueling at 8B5. The pilot stated that the airplane's fuel quantity gauges indicated that the right fuel tank was empty, and the left tank was "close to 1/2;" which should have allowed him to reach his destination; however, due to "heading winds" and the use of a "higher rpm," the airplane "ran out of fuel." The airplane experienced a loss of engine power and impacted trees during the ensuing forced landing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Both fuel tanks remained intact and there was no evidence of a fuel spill. Approximately 1/2 gallon of fuel was observed in the airplane's fuel system. Additionally, the fuel line which connected from the airframe fuel filter to the carburetor was removed and contained "a few drops" of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2528M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2528M), registered now, S/N 12-1019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-1019 - Airframe hours: 4660 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert D. Ellis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 2001, 24 hours before - Departed: NONE, Fish Pond Lake, ME - Destination: 85B, PATTEN, ME ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 7, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 352 total, 22 in this make and model, 321 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.63 inHg - Observed at: PQI, 17 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 20011002026329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011002026329A), Oct 2, 2001: Piper PA12, Ashland, ME, No damage. (-23) Aircraft departed fish river lake for shin pond to refuel. Approximately 20 miles south at 3000' MSL the engine quit. Pilot attempted to restart the… 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.