Forced Landing Following Engine Power Loss and Fuel Exhaustion

Casualties unknown • Rexburg, ID, US

A pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing after both engines lost power due to the exhaustion of fuel from the right main tanks.

What happened

During the flight, the pilot identified a fuel imbalance, noting that a higher volume of fuel remained in the left main tanks compared to the right. As the flight progressed, the fuel in the right main tanks was exhausted, resulting in the loss of power to both engines. Consequently, the pilot was forced to perform a forced landing.

The investigation

Subsequent troubleshooting of the aircraft's fuel system revealed that the left fuel selector valve had not actually been seated in its proper detent. Because of this, both engines had been drawing exclusively from the right main tanks. Investigation into the valve mechanism showed that the O-rings within the fuel valve had deteriorated significantly. This deterioration caused the internal spool valve to provide tactile feedback that felt as though it was in its correct detent, even when it was not properly positioned.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to utilize the remaining fifty gallons of fuel in the left main tank by failing to place the right fuel selector in the crossfeed position, a situation compounded by a fuel selector valve that appeared to be in the correct position due to deteriorated O-rings.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-12-19 Cessna 414A accident near Rexburg, ID?

A pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing after both engines lost power due to the exhaustion of fuel from the right main tanks.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-12-19 involved a Cessna 414A, registration N911AG, operated by Dr. Charles O. Garrison, at Rexburg, ID.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot failed to utilize the remaining fifty gallons of fuel in the left main tank by failing to place the right fuel selector in the crossfeed position, a situation compounded by a fuel selector valve that appeared to be in the correct position due to deteriorated O-rings.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X16248. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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