Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL91LA172

JACKSON, TN, USA

Aircraft #1

N13DT

CESSNA 401

Analysis

THE PILOT HAD CANCELLED HIS IFR FLIGHT PLAN, AND WAS PROCEEDING TO THE AIRPORT VISUALLY. DURING HIS APPROACH, THE LEFT ENGINE QUIT, FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT ENGINE. HE THEN REALIZED THAT HE HAD FAILED TO SWITCH FROM THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS TO THE MAIN FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO THE APPROACH, AND EXHAUSTED THE AUXILIARY FUEL SUPPLY. WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO ATTEMPT A RESTART, HE FORCE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A BEAN FIELD SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. AFTER THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A STOP, THE OCCUPANTS EGRESSED, AND THE FUSELAGE WAS CONSUMED IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SELECT THE MAIN FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO THE APPROACH, RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION AND ENGINE STOPPAGE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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