The pilot reported that he was conducting a local flight with one passenger on board the Navion A.
He completed the pre-takeoff checklist and engine run-up with no problems noted.
During the initial climb from the airport in Fremont, Michigan, the engine “sputtered” and then lost total power, the pilot told investigators.
He attempted to conduct a forced landing to grassy terrain, during which the airplane stalled and hit terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The passenger sustained minor injuries in the crash.
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was in the “right tip-tank” position. However, according to the preflight checklist, the fuel selector should have been in the “main fuel tank” position during takeoff.
Based on the found fuel selector position, it is likely that the fuel unported from the tip tanks, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel selector during takeoff, which was not in accordance with the preflight checklist and resulted in fuel starvation, a subsequent total loss of engine power, and an aerodynamic stall during an attempted forced landing.
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This November 2020 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Maybe the headline ‘ Wrong tank selected causes fuel starvation’ …?
[ I’m sure that there is a maximum number of words for the headline !? ]
There may have been fuel in the mains, but the selector was on a tip tank that unported during the initial climb….oops…crash.!
This was an older, very low time pilot, with only a few hours in this aircraft, which has a fuel system much different from the C172 he flew.
Having only the stated 25 gallons, was way to little fuel for an aircraft that uses 25 gph in climb and 10 gph in cruise. With the 20 gallon tip tanks, this a/c has 79 gallon capacity.
Why not add 15-20 gallons. [ $100 ], of fuel, AND use the proper tank for takeoff.
More ‘stupid pilot tricks’ that wrecked a classic aircraft .!
An older pilot making the same mistake as soooo many younger and middle aged pilots….imagine that!
Thanks for pointing that out.
Guess the pilot had more important things on his mind then fuel for his engine. After all, flying is just like jumping into the pickup truck and peeling rubber off the driveway, right?
Comments are for the staff writer:
Gravity brought down the aircraft…..not a lack of fuel, lack of planning, poor decision making allowed the aircraft to end up where it did…..etc, etc…… I am really bothered by your headline…..as it does not correctly identify the issues: The aircraft does what we tell it to do…providing its operated as designed…world record for gliders..some 1800 miles without an engine….do not feel exhaustion was not then REAL issue…..the PIC…poor or incorrect decisions, ignorance, assumptions is the reason why aircraft and them people onboard ended up being the subject of an NTSB report….not fuel exhaustion.