On April 24, 1998, a Beech D95A (registration N479AM) operated by Kentucky Airmotive Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Mount Sterling, KY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Was the failure of the flight instructor to feather the engine in a timely manner. Factors were improper placement of the fuel selector valve by the student and failure of the flight instructor to adequately supervise its placement. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a go-around, the airplane yawed left and entered a descending left turn, striking the ground in an open field to the left of the runway. Investigation found the left fuel selector was OFF and the right selector was ON, with minimal fuel in the left engine fuel line.
Incident Description
During a go-around, the airplane yawed to the left and entered a descending left turn. It subsequently struck the ground in an open field to the left of the runway and was consumed by fire.
Examination Findings
Post-impact examination revealed that the left fuel selector was in the OFF position, while the right fuel selector was ON. The fuel lines were intact. Approximately 5 ounces of fuel was found in the fuel line leading to the right engine, and about 1/2 ounce of fuel was found in the fuel line leading to the left engine.
Flight Instructor Report
The flight instructor stated that the pilot receiving instruction had checked the fuel selectors as they entered the traffic pattern, and the instructor verified their position. When asked why he did not feather the propeller on the left engine, the instructor reported that he was too busy trying to fly the airplane.