# NTSB SEA99LA109: Piper PA-22, N4707C, Cottage Grove, OR, July 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 1999, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Cottage Grove, OR - Coordinates: 43.709918, -123.030578 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7099&lon=-123.0306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46978/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA109 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate management of fuel which led to fuel starvation.. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power and the pilot initiated an off-field landing. During the landing roll-out, the aircraft's nose wheel collided with a rock causing the aircraft to nose over. The pilot unintentionally ran the left fuel tank dry. He selected the right fuel tank but, was unsuccessful in restarting the engine and elected to land in a nearby field. No evidence was found of a mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 1999, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22, N4707C, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during an off airport forced landing following a sudden loss of engine power. The accident occurred approximately three miles west of Cottage Grove Airport, Cottage Grove Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14CFR91 personal/pleasure flight. The flight originated from Gasquet Airport, Gasquet, California approximately one hour and 30 minutes prior to the accident. While in a cruise configuration, approximately 3,500 feet MSL, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power. The pilot initiated an off-field landing in a open field. During the landing roll-out, the aircraft's nose wheel struck a large rock causing the aircraft to nose over, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft's wings and fuselage. The pilot stated he ran the left fuel tank dry. He selected the right fuel tank, but was unsuccessful in restarting the engine and elected to land in a nearby field. The pilot reported the right fuel tank was full at the time of the accident. No evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4707C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4707C), registered now, S/N 22-3291, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-3291 - Airframe hours: 2048 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. Dunn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1999, 4 hours before - Departed: 0O9, GASQUET, CA - Destination: SLE, SALEM, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 767 total, 2 in this make and model, 690 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EUG, 21 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 19990707008449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990707008449A), Jul 7, 1999: Piper PA22, Cottage Grove, OR, Substantial damage. Acft ran out of fuel, and the pilot made an emergancy landing in a field, other circumstances are unknown. (.19)on July 7, 1999, about 1500 pacific daylight… ## Other investigations on N4707C (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 MKC79FCG58](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FCG58), Jul 9, 1979: Piper PA-22 (N4707C), Clinton, MO, 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.