ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 286342
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| Date: | Saturday 26 January 2008 |
| Time: | 13:30 LT |
| Type: | Flite Bike |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | N31559 |
| MSN: | 0001 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 79 hours |
| Engine model: | Rotax 503 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Valley Center, Kansas -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Valley Center, KS |
| Valley Center, KS | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
According to the pilot the airplane preflight and engine start were normal. He shut the engine down and turned the left fuel tank valve to the off position while he was waiting for a flight partner. He stated that he became distracted once his flight partner had arrived, as he was having difficulties with his engine. Shortly thereafter, he restarted his engine and departed for his local flight. After the departure, the engine lost power. He stated that he lowered the nose to achieve "maximum" airspeed and maneuvered the airplane to avoid several trees. He "could feel the airplane sinking and stalling" and did not have enough "altitude, time, and airspeed to recover." The airplane was substantially damaged. An examination of the airplane systems conducted by the FAA revealed no anomalies. The fuel valve was in the off position. The pilot reported that he "failed to turn on the left fuel tank valve." He stated that he had 7 minutes of fuel in the header tank; just enough to start the engine, taxi, and takeoff.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during an emergency descent resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to turn on the fuel tank valve resulting in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB DEN08LA053
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 03-Oct-2022 09:17 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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