CLARE, MI, USA
N8805A
BEECH B35
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE OF FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE A DECREASE OF ENGINE POWER FOLLOWED BY A DECELERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH A NOSE HIGH ALTITUDE. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A DEPARTURE FROM CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN AND POST-IMPACT FIRE. THE PILOT SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS CENTERED BETWEEN THE RIGHT AND OFF POSITIONS. DURING TESTING, LITTLE AIRFLOW WAS POSSIBLE THROUGH BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT INLETS TO THE OUTLET, THROUGH THE VALVE.
IMPROPER PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT BY NOT ASSURING THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS PROPERLY POSITIONED, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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