On May 25, 1990, a Piper PA-18 (registration N8474D) operated by Jefe Voladores, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Fullerton, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE. A FACTOR WAS THE IMPROPERLY MODIFIED FUEL SELECTOR VALVE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot reported departing with 35 gallons, flying 1 hour 15 minutes with equal tank usage, and landing on left tank. Post-crash found 15 gallons in right tank, 0.25 gallon in left, and a non-standard fuel selector pointer.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that he departed with 35 gallons of fuel. He flew for one hour and fifteen minutes, during which he consumed fuel equally from both tanks (half and half on the tanks). He further reported that he both departed and landed on the left tank.
Post-Crash Examination
Following the accident, an examination of the fuel system was conducted. The inspection revealed 15 gallons of fuel remaining in the right tank and approximately one-quarter gallon in the left tank. Additionally, a field-fabricated secondary pointer on the fuel selector was noted. This non-standard pointer did not consistently index with the stock imperial valve pointer, potentially leading to a misalignment between the selected tank position indicated externally and the actual valve position.
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