ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 39318
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| Date: | Thursday 25 September 1997 |
| Time: | 18:17 LT |
| Type: |  Ryan Navion B |
| Owner/operator: | Michael D. Boolen |
| Registration: | N5241K |
| MSN: | NAV-4-2141B |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3245 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming GO-435-C2 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Pacoima, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | , CA (KWHP) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The aircraft experienced a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb followed by a steep descent into two single-family residences located approximately 1/2 mile from the end of the departure runway. Evidence at the accident site, and interviews with the aircraft's mechanic and the student pilot's flight instructor, indicated that the auxiliary fuel tank may have been supplying the engine during the takeoff and initial climb. Because the 'OFF' nomenclature on the cockpit fuel tank selector was located on the aft side of the selector housing in this aircraft, it would be easy to infer that the long end of the selector handle should be pointed toward the desired fuel tank selection (which is incorrect), particularly if the small arrow head on the opposite end of the handle has been partially obliterated with age as was the case with this aircraft.
Probable Cause: the dual student's improper positioning of the fuel selector and the CFI's inadequate supervision, which led to a takeoff with the auxiliary fuel tank selected and resulted in fuel starvation. A contributing factor was the position of the nomenclature on the cockpit fuel tank selector.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX97FA330
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:23 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 08-Apr-2024 12:35 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Phase, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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