Fuel exhaustion Accident Piper PA-17 N4610H, Sunday 19 September 2010

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Date:	Sunday 19 September 2010
Time:	15:46 LT
Type:	Piper PA-17
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N4610H
MSN:	17-27
Year of manufacture:	1948
Engine model:	Continental A-65-A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Edwardsburg, Michigan - United States of America
Phase:	Standing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Edwardsburg, MI
Destination airport:	Edwardsburg, MI
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot reported that the airplane's fuel gauge indicated that the fuel tanks were about half full during his preflight inspection. He conducted a 45-minute flight and landed. During takeoff on the second flight, the airplane reached about 150 feet of altitude when the engine started to sputter and subsequently experienced a total loss of power. The pilot initiated a return to the private airstrip and during the turn the airplane stalled. The airplane impacted the ground in a left-wing-low attitude, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that there was no fuel in the tanks.

Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning.

Accident investigation: