Casualties unknown

1998-11-22: Piper PA-12 (N92585) — Carrol, IA

Carrol, IA, US

On November 22, 1998, a Piper PA-12 (registration N92585) was involved in an aviation accident near Carrol, IA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate preflight inpection of the fuel tanks and filler neck caps before departure. Factors associated with this accident were the leaking right wing fuel tank filler cap and fuel exhaution. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported adding auto fuel to both wing tanks without visual check. Engine stopped 8 minutes from destination. Forced landing on down-sloped field, then onto gravel road and plowed field, resulting in nose over. Investigation revealed empty fuel tanks and fuel stain on right wing.

Accident Details

According to the pilot, 5 gallons of auto fuel were added to both the left and right wing tanks before departure. The pilot did not visually check the fuel level but instead felt it with a finger inside each fuel tank. While en route to the destination airport, approximately 8 minutes north of the airport, the engine ceased operation.

The pilot executed a forced landing on a down-sloped field. As the aircraft approached the end of the field, elevator back-pressure was applied in an attempt to jump the ditches at the field's boundary. The aircraft then landed on a gravel road, bounced, and continued onto a plowed field, where it nosed over.

Investigation Findings

An on-scene investigation revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. The right wing exhibited a colored stain similar to fuel, originating at the fuel filler neck and extending aft to the trailing edge. No similar stain was observed near the left wing's fuel filler neck.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11389. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.