ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 363666
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Sunday 10 May 1992 |
| Time: | 08:30 LT |
| Type: | Mcquen GLASSAIR III |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N115DM |
| MSN: | 3029 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 122 hours |
| Engine model: | LYCOMING IO-540-R |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Casa Grande, AZ -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Chandler, AZ (KCHD) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST COME OUT OF A MAINTENANCE PERIOD WHERE PLACARDS WERE INSTALLED ON THE FUEL SELECTOR PANEL. THE FUEL SELECTOR HAS A HANDLE AND A POINTER, WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ARE SIMILAR IN SHAPE AND SIZE. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE FROM THE MAIN TANK POSITION SINCE HE PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT. THE VALVE WAS APPARENTLY FOUND IN THE 'HEADER TANK' POSITION AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE HEADER TANK ONLY HOLDS 4 GALLONS OF FUEL AND IS FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY. THE PILOT THOUGHT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE MAIN TANK. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR 15 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. THE PILOT LINED UP FOR A LANDING ON A ROAD, HOWEVER, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON SHORT FINAL A SCHOOL BUS TURNED ONTO THE ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT TURNED LEFT TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE BUS AND HIT A LARGE TREE.
Probable Cause: FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S MISREADING OF A NEWLY INSTALLED FUEL SELECTOR PANEL WITH PLACARDS AND A POSITION POINTER WHICH WERE CONFUSING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CONFUSING NATURE OF THE FUEL PANEL AND PLACARD DESIGN AND THE SCHOOL BUS WHICH SUDDENLY TURNED IN FRONT OF THE LANDING AIRCRAFT.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX92LA235
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 18-Mar-2024 19:47 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation