SOCCASTEE, SC, USA
N3841Z
PIPER PA-18-150
DURING A BANNER TOW FLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ALTERNATELY SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. AS HE DEPARTED THE OPERATING AREA TO RETURN TO BASE, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO A FIELD WHERE THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT HE WENT TO THE ACCIDENT SITE & FOUND NO FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK. THE RIGHT TANK WAS NEARLY FULL, HE SAID. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT TANK POSITION. AFTER RIGHTING THE AIRPLANE, AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO START THE ENGINE. WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS MOVED TO THE RIGHT TANK POSITION, THE ENGINE STARTED AND OPERATED. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT IT WAS CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION.
THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF HIS FUEL IN THAT HE EXHAUSTED FUEL IN ONE TANK, THEN FAILED TO SELECT THE TANK WITH FUEL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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