What happened
The aircraft experienced an engine failure due to fuel starvation shortly after initiating takeoff. The pilot had inadvertently selected an empty fuel tank for operation. Upon realizing the issue, he attempted to switch to a different tank; however, this action was not performed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the aircraft manual. The improper switching procedure resulted in flooding the engine, rendering it unable to restart.
With the engine inoperative and the aircraft unable to maintain altitude, the pilot was forced to execute an emergency landing. He was unable to glide to a suitable or prepared landing site. Consequently, he landed in unsuitable terrain characterized by hidden obstructions. During the impact with these obstructions, the seaplane's floats collided with the ground features, causing the aircraft to nosed over.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the engine and the sequence of events leading to the loss of power. Examination confirmed that the engine quit due to fuel starvation. Further analysis indicated that the subsequent attempt to restore fuel flow resulted in flooding the engine, a direct consequence of not following the established aircraft manual procedures for tank selection.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident include:
- Selection of an empty fuel tank by the pilot shortly after takeoff.
- Improper execution of the fuel tank switching procedure, leading to engine flooding.
- Inability to glide to a suitable landing site due to the loss of power at low altitude.
- Landing in unsuitable terrain with hidden obstructions.
The critical causal factor was fuel starvation followed by engine flooding due to procedural error. The pilot's failure to follow the aircraft manual during the emergency fuel management procedure prevented engine restart and necessitated a forced landing in hazardous conditions.