Wasilla, AK, USA
N7690H
PIPER PA-12
According to the pilot, he departed with the airplane's fuel selector inadvertently placed in the "off" position. When the airplane was about 700 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. After unsuccessfully trying to restart the engine, he made an emergency landing on marshy ground, where the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and lift struts. The airplane's annual inspection was completed on the previous day, and the pilot did not notice that the fuel selector had been moved to the "off" position. After the fuel selector was placed in the "on" position, the engine ran normally.
The pilot took off with the airplane's fuel selector inadvertently placed in the "off" position. He said that about 700 feet above the ground, the engine stopped. After unsuccessfully trying to restart the engine, he made an emergency landing on marshy ground, where the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and lift struts. The airplane's annual inspection was done on the previous day, and the pilot did not notice that the fuel selector had been moved to the "off" position. After the fuel selector was put in the "on" position, the engine ran normally.
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, resulting in a departure with the fuel selector in the "off" position, a subsequent loss of engine power, and an off-airport emergency landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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