Piper PA-22-108 accident near Lenox Township, Michigan, June 25, 1997
On June 25, 1997 at about 7:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-108, registered N4882Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lenox Township, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to follow the procedures and directives as listed on the placard in the aircraft resulting in fuel starvation and subsequent engine failure.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 1997 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- Lenox Township, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-108 · all PA-22-108s on the register
- Registration
- N4882Z · no longer on the register · serial 22-8463
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident airplane lost engine power, and while executing a forced landing, the aircraft hit a tree and subsequently impacted the terrain. Witnesses to the accident reported that the aircraft was maneuvering at a low altitude when the engine lost power. Aircraft control continuity and engine continuity was established in a post accident examination. Examination of the fuel system revealed that there was four gallons of fuel in the right tank and no fuel was found in the left tank. The fuel selector was set on the right tank. There was a placard located in the aircraft's cockpit, which stated, 'Right tank level flight only.' No anomalies were found with respect to the aircraft that could be associated with a preexisting condition.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 358 hours in all; 292 in this make and model; 4 in the last 30 days; 249 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 3, 1997
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 57D New Haven MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:45 pm from DET, 39 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.