On October 3, 1988, a Beech B23 (registration N7621R) was involved in an aviation accident near Scottsdale, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE LIGHTING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot returning to the airport at night was told to go around after entering traffic incorrectly. On downwind, the engine lost power; the pilot declared mayday and maneuvered toward the airport but crashed short of the runway. All passengers exited, but the pilot collapsed. The fuel selector was found between tank settings.
Narrative
At night, a pilot with three adult passengers and a small child was returning to the airport. The pilot was instructed to follow two other aircraft; however, he entered the traffic pattern incorrectly and was told to go around. After turning onto a downwind leg, the engine lost power, and the pilot declared an emergency (mayday). He maneuvered the aircraft toward the airport, but before reaching the runway, the aircraft crashed in a left-wing-down, nose-low attitude. The aircraft came to rest and began burning after it traveled approximately 180 feet from the initial impact point. All passengers egressed from the aircraft, but the pilot collapsed before he could escape.
Examination
Post-accident examination of the engine disclosed no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or failures. When the fuel selector valve was checked, it was found positioned between the left and right fuel tank settings. The handle for the fuel selector valve was not individually lighted; its lighting source was the overhead cabin lighting. The right wing and cabin/cockpit areas were extensively damaged by fire. One passenger reported hearing the sound of a stall warning horn before impact.