What happened
The aircraft was conducting a routine flight operation when it experienced an unexpected loss of power. The incident occurred while the plane was maneuvering for landing, specifically during the turn to final approach. Just prior to the engine stopping, the pilot attempted to adjust the fuel supply by moving the selector switch. He believed he was selecting the position that would draw fuel from both tanks simultaneously to ensure adequate supply.
However, the pilot had misidentified the switch position. Instead of engaging the combined tank setting, he inadvertently moved the lever to the off position, cutting off the fuel flow to the engine entirely. With no power available, the aircraft could not maintain altitude or continue the approach. The pilot executed a forced landing in a nearby road. The aircraft came to rest approximately 125 feet short of the runway threshold.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical status of the aircraft and the actions of the pilot leading up to the impact. Examination revealed that the engine failure was not due to mechanical malfunction or internal failure. Instead, the cause was traced directly to the fuel system configuration. The pilot's account confirmed that he had manipulated the fuel selector switch moments before the power loss.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the mismanagement of the fuel selector. The pilot failed to correctly identify the position of the fuel selector switch, resulting in an unintended shut-off of the fuel supply. This error occurred during a critical phase of flight when engine power was necessary to complete the landing. The lack of power led directly to the forced landing short of the intended runway.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure they can clearly identify and verify the position of all aircraft controls, particularly those affecting engine performance such as fuel selectors. Misidentification of switch positions can lead to catastrophic loss of power, especially during low-altitude maneuvers where recovery options are limited.