Piper PA-12 accident near Labelle, Florida, November 30, 2021
On November 30, 2021 at about 9:01 pm local time, a 1947 Piper PA-12, registered N3098M, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Labelle, Florida. 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 improper fuel system modification, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 30, 2021 · about 9:01 pm local time
- Place
- Labelle, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12, built 1947 · all PA-12s on the register
- Registration
- N3098M · registry record · serial 12-1784
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he departed from a private field to refuel at a nearby airport which was about 6 nautical miles away. He stated that he had selected the left fuel tank for the flight as there was only residual fuel in the right tank. During the flight, the engine began to lose power like “it was starved for fuel” and he elected to land on an area of private property. During the landing, the airplane encountered a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A post-accident examination revealed that the left tank was full of fuel, the right fuel tank was empty and the fuel strainer and carburetor bowl were both devoid of fuel. Further examination revealed that during a fuel system modification, the fuel lines had been crossed and were connected to the wrong fuel selectors, which resulted in the engine drawing fuel from the right tank when the left tank was selected. When asked, the pilot stated that he completed the maintenance on the airplane and the fuel lines may have been “crossed up.” The airplane’s last annual inspection occurred in 2016. The pilot did not possess a valid medical certificate, flight review, or airframe and powerplant certificate, and had been flying, and working on the airplane which was certificated in the normal and utility category himself, without any annual inspections, since he purchased it in 2019.
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
What happened, in order
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Aircraft inspection event during prior to flight
- Fuel starvation during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Miscellaneous/other during prior to flight
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › (general) › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › (general) › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Modification/alteration › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Inadequate inspection
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Design
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,480 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,191 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 26, 2016; 102 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-C2A (piston); 933 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 95FD Fort Denaud FL at 8:46 pm
- Destination: X14 Labelle FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from RSW, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 24, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements and Interview Summaries | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpts from Piper PA-12 Handbook of Operating Limitations and Information - Fuel System | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record - Wreckage Examination | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | PDF, 18 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N3098M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.