The pilot told investigators that he conducted a walk-around of the Maule M-4-220C before boarding for the flight from the airport in Ridgeway, Virginia.
After engine start, he noted more fuel in the right tank with the fuel totalizer reading 9.8 gallons and selected that tank for takeoff.
After departure, while in the climb, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power.
The pilot pitched the airplane forward and switched the fuel selector to both tanks just before the plane hit trees at the end of the runway.
The pilot turned off the power and closed the fuel selector valve before getting out of the airplane, which sustained substantial damage to both wings in the crash.
During a post-accident examination, the fuel strainer was drained and a trace amount of residual fuel was present. Three of the four wing tanks were opened and investigators discovered fuel in both left tanks, but the right inboard tank showed no fuel and the right outboard tank was inaccessible.
Additionally, the airport owner reported that he met the pilot on the runway after the accident, and the pilot stated “the engine quit” and “fuel may have been an issue.”
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.
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This November 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.
At least he didn’t spin in and flew it all the way to the crash site.
And our insurance rates go up because a “pilot” can’t figure out how to either put enought fuel in the tanks or get fuel from the tanks to the engine. SMH.
It was reported that there was fuel in the left tanks….so this was actually fuel starvation..!!
So, the fuel totalizer was way off..!!
Too lazy to climb up on the wing and stick the tanks.?! Now a damaged aircraft.!