LAPORTE, IN, USA
N97904
STINSON 108-1
THE PILOT/MECHANIC WAS PREPARING TO MAKE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FLIGHT TESTING THE PLANE TO FIND DEFECTS WHEN ENGINE STOPPAGE OCCURRED. WHILE LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD. THE LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE LEFT GEAR DUG INTO THE SOIL AND COLLAPSED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. THE RIGHT TANK STILL CONTAINED ABOUT 13 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE OWNER HAD NOT ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGES WERE NOT READING CORRECTLY. HE REPORTED THAT THE GAUGES INDICATED 3/4 FULL WHEN HE INITIALLY TOOK OFF AND THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER A SHORT TIME LATER. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT HE FORGOT TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AFTER HE LOST ENGINE POWER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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