On July 22, 1982, a Piper PA-22 (registration N949A) operated by Robert Kim Nichols was involved in an aviation accident near Glenburn, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by selecting a tank with fuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported engine power loss at low altitude during a night takeoff. Post-crash inspection revealed the fuel selector was set to an empty right tank, causing fuel exhaustion.
What happened
The pilot reported that the engine lost power at about 100 feet above ground level (AGL) during a night takeoff. The aircraft was examined after the crash and the fuel selector was found positioned on the right tank. The aircraft had remained upright during and after the crash and the fuel tank was not ruptured. No fuel was found in the right tank.
The investigation
Post-crash examination of the aircraft revealed that the fuel selector was positioned on the right tank. Despite the aircraft remaining upright, no fuel was present in the selected tank.
Findings
The lack of fuel in the selected tank indicates fuel exhaustion as the primary factor in the power loss.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by selecting a tank with fuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion.
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