The pilot assisted a mechanic with a 100-hour inspection, and he then conducted an operational check of the float-equipped Cessna A185F, which included an inspection and a run-up of the airplane.
He then departed the airport in North Vernon, Indiana, and, after retracting the landing gear and flaps, the engine lost power.
Unable to make it back to the airport, he selected a nearby golf course for a forced landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and aft section of the fuselage.
Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the left fuel tank contained 10 gallons of fuel and the right fuel tank contained 15 gallons of fuel.
The inspector reported that the mechanic had to leave work early, and the pilot installed portions of the interior, which included the fuel selector handle.
Examination of the fuel selector handle found that the handle had been installed incorrectly by 90° on the fuel selector shaft. The fuel selector shaft was “keyed” so that the fuel selector handle could be installed in only one way, however the handle partially fit over the stem and allowed the attaching screw to partially engage on the shaft. The fuel selector handle was on the left tank position, but the orientation of the fuel selector shaft as positioned restricted all fuel flow to the engine.
A post-accident engine test run was conducted with the engine operated at full throttle; the fuel selector was placed in the left, right, and both positions. The engine operated with the fuel selector in each of these positions with no anomalies noted.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper installation of the fuel selector handle, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
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This April 2021 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.
No insurance claim here!!!!!
No insurance Liam here!!!!
So it’s saying a run-up, taxi and departure was accomplished before the fuel selector created a problem?
And what is the ratio between certified mechanics vs owner caused mechanical malfunctions?
What little money the pilot saved by helping if any at all doesn’t amount anywhere close to even the deductible. People let the pros do their work it’s well worth what you get back in return.
This is why, I, as an IA frown on “Owner Assist”.
This pilot appears to not own the aircraft, per the 6120 form.
So, why was he doing any work on the aircraft ?
I sure hope the mechanic didn’t sign off on the 100 hour inspection before it was totally completed, when having to leave early! That, and an engine run-up which is normally s final part of the inspection would have caught this error.
65.81a Hmmmm….
Yes, and the mechanic left without supervising the pilot’s installation of the fuel selector handle.?
I’ll assume that the mechanic did not point out the ‘D’ shaped keying of the handle to the shaft ?
So, the pilot did some non-allowed work, did it wrong, and crashed the aircraft.