Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA95LA034

Kellogg, ID, USA

Aircraft #1

N4607Q

CESSNA T210

Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING INTO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE SELECTED FUEL TANK TO RUN DRY. HE THEN FAILED TO SWITCH THE SELECTOR TO THE OTHER TANK, AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING ON A NEARBY STATE HIGHWAY, BUT IMPACTED A ROAD SIGN DURING THE FLARE.

Factual Information

On December 21, 1994, approximately 1350 Pacific standard time (PST), a Cessna T210, N4607Q, impacted a road sign during a forced landing near Kellogg, Idaho. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which was being operated in visual meteorological conditions, departed Winnemucca, Nevada, about three hours earlier, and was descending into Shoshone County Airport at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the FAA inspector who reported the accident, the aircraft was about three miles from Shoshone Airport when the engine quit. It was later determined that the fuel tank to which the pilot had set the selector had run dry, and he failed to switch tanks after the loss of power. Because the engine did not regain power, the pilot attempted a forced landing on a nearby state highway. While in the flare for the attempted landing, the wing of the aircraft impacted a road sign.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE, HIS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION, AND STARVATION OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. FACTORS INCLUDE A SIGN POST ALONGSIDE THE ROAD ON WHICH THE FORCED LANDING TOOK PLACE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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