Factual Information
On 9 October 2021, a Piper PA-18A-150, registration LV-GBY, departed from Trevelin aerodrome in Chubut province at approximately 21:00 UTC for a local recreational general aviation flight. During level cruising flight around 21:30 UTC, the engine stopped. The pilot attempted an in-flight restart, including switching the fuel tank selector, but the engine did not restart. Consequently, the pilot performed an emergency ditching on Lago Rosario. The pilot and the sole passenger exited the aircraft unaided and sustained no injuries. The aircraft was later recovered from the lake and taken to the owner's hangar.
Examination of the aircraft revealed that the fuel tank selector was found in the closed position. The fuel system showed no interruptions or failures that would have prevented fuel supply to the engine. The pilot reported that during the flight, the fuel selector had been set to the right tank. When the engine began to fail, he intended to switch to the left tank. However, he moved the selector to the left without verifying that the new position actually opened the left tank; instead, the selector moved to the closed position, shutting off fuel flow.
Analysis
The pilot's action of moving the fuel selector without verifying its position resulted in the selector being placed in the closed position. The engine stoppage was therefore due to fuel starvation in the engine's fuel circuit. The ditching was executed at minimal speed, which prevented the aircraft from nosing over. The cabin did not deform, and the seat belts and harnesses withstood the forces. The pilot and passenger were rescued by individuals on the lake using boats and were taken to the shore where they received assistance.
Conclusions
- No evidence of failures in the aircraft's fuel system was found.
- The engine stoppage occurred due to incorrect selection of the fuel tank.