Aviation Accident Summary SEA95LA115

MEDFORD, OR, USA

Aircraft #1

N28087

PIPER J3C-65

Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD TAKEN OFF WITH THE NOSE FUEL TANK FULL, HOWEVER, AFTER 15 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL FLOAT INDICATOR READ ONE-THIRD OF A TANK. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE INDICATOR READ EMPTY. THE PILOT EXECUTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL IN TALL ALFALFA, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM, IT WAS FOUND THAT A WIRE WAS BENT APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES ABOVE THE FLOAT AND WAS CREATING A DRAG THROUGH THE CAP. THIS BENT WIRE CREATED AN ERRONEOUS FUEL QUANTITY INDICATION WHEN THE FUEL QUANTITY WAS ACTUALLY LESS.

Factual Information

On June 6, 1995, at 1040 Pacific daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N28087, collided with the terrain and nosed over during the landing roll in an open field after the pilot executed a precautionary landing near Medford, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot reported that he took off with the nose tank full of fuel. Approximately 15 minutes after take off, the pilot noted that the fuel float indicator read about one-third of a tank of fuel. Approximately 30 seconds later, the pilot noted that the fuel float dropped to indicate an empty fuel tank. The pilot opted to execute a precautionary landing to an open field. During the landing roll in tall alfalfa, the airplane nosed over. A local airframe and powerplant mechanic inspected the airplane and reported that a wire was bent approximately four inches above the float and was creating a drag through the cap. This bent wire created an erroneous fuel quantity indication of approximately three-quarters of a tank when the fuel quantity was actually less.

Probable Cause and Findings

AN UNRELIABLE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT. THE TALL VEGETATION IN THE LANDING AREA WAS A FACTOR.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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