On August 30, 1997, a Navion G (registration N2362T) operated by US Coast Guard was involved in an aviation accident near Brooklyn, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure the fuel selector was properly positioned for takeoff, which resulted in fuel starvation, loss of engine power, and a forced landing after takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During takeoff, an airplane experienced an engine power loss just after becoming airborne. The pilot performed a straight-ahead landing, but the landing gear struck the airport perimeter fence, and the airplane came to rest beyond it.
Accident Summary
During the takeoff roll, the airplane became airborne and immediately lost engine power. The pilot executed a straight-ahead landing. The landing gear struck the top of the airport perimeter fence, and the airplane came to rest on the other side of the fence.
Aircraft Fuel System
The airplane was equipped with a single wing tank holding 39 gallons and two tip tanks, each with a capacity of 35 gallons. The tip tanks were placarded with the limitation "Level Flight Only." The fuel selector was a four-position valve with settings for main tank, left tip, right tip, and off. The aircraft had no fuel transfer pump.
Investigation Findings
After the accident, the main fuel tank was found to be full. An estimated 5 to 10 gallons of fuel remained in each tip tank. The fuel system was intact with no visible leaks. The pilot reported that the fuel selector was set to the "mains" position and was not changed during the flight. A thorough inspection of the fuel system revealed no discrepancies. The engine was test run following the accident and operated without any issues.