On November 9, 1993, a Beech D95A (registration N566KK) operated by California IN Nice, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Hollister, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE IMPROPER POSITION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH BY THE DUAL STUDENT DURING THE BEFORE LANDING CHECKLIST AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI. FUEL STARVATION TO BOTH ENGINES WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A twin-engine airplane experienced a total loss of power in the traffic pattern after the student pilot switched the fuel selectors off during the before-landing checklist. The CFI took control but could not restart. The aircraft landed short in a field and struck the runway edge.
Event Details
A twin-engine airplane was operating in the traffic pattern during a training flight when it experienced a total loss of engine power. The certified flight instructor (CFI) immediately assumed control of the aircraft and began executing emergency procedures. The CFI discovered that the student pilot had inadvertently moved both fuel selectors to the OFF position while performing the before-landing checklist. With the aircraft at low altitude, the CFI determined that there was insufficient height to attempt an engine restart. The airplane then touched down short of the runway in a cultivated field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck the runway edge.
Findings
The loss of power was caused by the fuel selectors being set to OFF. The occurrence involved a twin-engine airplane on a dual training flight. The airplane landed short of the runway and struck the runway edge during the landing roll.