Casualties unknown

Inadvertent Fuel Selector Movement Results in Engine Power Loss and Nose-Over Landing (N1961P)

Middletown, OH, US

On June 24, 1989, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N1961P) was involved in an aviation accident near Middletown, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot inadvertently rotated the fuel selector to one of the off positions, leading to fuel starvation and engine power loss. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot inadvertently rotated the fuel selector to an off position during flight, causing engine power loss due to fuel starvation. The aircraft glided to a field and nosed over during landing.

Incident Overview

During a flight at 1,500 feet, the pilot reached for the elevator trim and inadvertently moved the fuel selector to one of the off positions. This action resulted in a complete loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Emergency Response

The pilot established a glide toward a nearby field and attempted to restart the engine. However, managing airspeed during the emergency approach proved challenging, and the pilot chose to focus entirely on flying the aircraft.

Landing and Aftermath

The aircraft touched down in a barley field. Upon contact with the crop, the wheels caught the vegetation, causing the aircraft to nose over. The pilot reported having a total of 3 hours of flight time in that specific make and model of aircraft.

Pilot Experience

The pilot's limited experience in the aircraft type—only 3 hours—was noted in the report. No further details about the aircraft, location, or injuries were provided.

Probable cause

The pilot inadvertently rotated the fuel selector to one of the off positions, leading to fuel starvation and engine power loss.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28539. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.