Pilot Debrief

SWEET WAYNE A BUSHBY MUSTANG II near Woodstock, IL — 2013-09-08

Final reportCEN13LA536
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Date
2013-09-08
Location
Woodstock, IL, USA
Aircraft
SWEET WAYNE A BUSHBY MUSTANG II
Registration
N54WS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

While at an altitude of 2,200 feet above ground level, the engine began to lose partial power. The pilot attempted to regain engine power by switching the fuel selector to the auxiliary or header tank; however, the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted vegetation and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed that the right wing fuel tank was empty and left wing fuel tank contained some fuel. The auxiliary or header fuel tank was full of fuel. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was functionally tested on the airframe. During the functional test, the engine started and operated without any anomalies noted. It is likely that the pilot was feeding fuel to the engine from a wing tank and did not switch to the auxiliary tank in time before the engine lost power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured adequate fuel in all tanks before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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