Amateur-built PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER accident near San Rafael, California, October 13, 2011
On October 13, 2011 at about 11:15 pm local time, a amateur-built PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, registered N762S, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near San Rafael, California (San Rafael airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during the takeoff climb due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the incorrect installation location of the fuel tank supply line screen that allowed debris to partially block the fuel supply line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 13, 2011 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- San Rafael, California · San Rafael · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER
- Registration
- N762S · registry record · serial 1691
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff climb, the engine lost all power. The pilot began troubleshooting steps but was unable to increase the engine power and subsequently performed a forced landing into a marsh. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel tank supply line screen had been installed at the fuel sump outlet instead of the fuel line outlet, which allowed unfiltered fuel to flow to the carburetor. An elbow fitting in the fuel supply line was partially occluded with plastic fragments and residential pipe sealant tape. Although fuel was found in the gascolator, the high-wing fuel tank design was such that the gascolator most likely filled with fuel via the partially blocked line after the accident.
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
- Fuel starvation during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel filter › strainer › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Other/unknown
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 107 hours in all; 81 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 271.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 21, 2011; 23.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,275 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CA35 San Rafael CA at 11:14 pm
- Destination: CA35 San Rafael CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04, 2,140 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,800 ft; clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 10:35 pm from KDVO, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.