On December 24, 1992, a Cessna 310D (registration N6737T) operated by Sorenson, Mark A. was involved in an aviation accident near Miami, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Improper installation of the right outboard torque tube in the assembly housing, which caused the right fuel selector valve to be in the OFF position. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During cruise at 1,000 feet, both engines sequentially quit and restarted after selecting auxiliary fuel. Both then quit again, leading to a forced landing in the Everglades. Investigation revealed improper installation of the right fuel selector valve's torque tube caused it to be off.
Sequence of Events
While in cruise flight at 1,000 feet, the left engine quit. The fuel selector for the left engine was moved from the left main position to the left auxiliary position, and the left engine restarted. Two minutes later, the right engine quit. The fuel selector for the right engine was moved from the right main position to the right auxiliary position, and the right engine restarted. Subsequently, both engines quit. A forced landing was made in the Everglades.
Investigation Findings
Disassembly of the right fuel selector valve revealed that the valve was in the OFF position due to the improper installation of the right outboard torque tube in the assembly housing.
Probable cause
Improper installation of the right outboard torque tube in the assembly housing, which caused the right fuel selector valve to be in the OFF position.