Casualties unknown

Fuel Starvation Leads to Crash on Final Approach (N7946P)

Titusville, FL, US

On September 10, 1989, a Piper PA-24-180 (registration N7946P) was involved in an aviation accident near Titusville, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by monitoring tank levels, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power. 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

An aircraft lost engine power due to fuel starvation while on final approach for landing after a brief flight, resulting in a collision with trees short of the runway.

What happened

The incident occurred while the aircraft was on final approach to land following a brief flight. During this phase of flight, the engine lost power due to fuel starvation. The pilot attempted an emergency landing, but the aircraft collided with trees located short of the runway. The impact caused significant damage to the airframe.

The investigation

An investigation into the mechanical aspects of the event revealed that the engine lost power specifically when the right fuel tank emptied. At the time of the power loss, the left fuel tank was still full, indicating a failure to transfer or select fuel from the remaining source.

Findings

The primary factor contributing to the accident was the depletion of usable fuel in the right tank while the left tank retained fuel. This imbalance led directly to engine flameout during a critical phase of flight.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by monitoring tank levels, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29444. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.