Pilot Debrief

Bereznak Lancair Legacy near Temple, TX — 2018-03-08

Final reportCEN18LA118
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Date
2018-03-08
Location
Temple, TX, USA
Airport
TPL
Aircraft
Bereznak Lancair Legacy
Registration
N60JN
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The failure of the fuel selector valve in a nearly closed position, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

After leveling off at 9,500 ft, the airline transport pilot switched the fuel selector from the right to the left fuel tank of the experimental, amateur-built airplane. He noticed a change in the sound of the engine, a decline in fuel flow, and a partial loss of engine power. He switched back to the right fuel tank and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, but this did not correct the problem. Realizing that he would not be able to glide to a nearby airport, the pilot made a forced landing in a plowed field. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no discrepancies that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel selector was found separated just below the selector handle, and the selector valve was found in the 90-percent-closed position. The fuel selector assembly showed extensive wear. It is likely that the fuel selector separated with the valve in an intermediate position when the pilot changed the fuel selector handle position, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the nearly closed fuel valve.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before switching tanks.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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