Pilot Debrief

Beech 35 near Medford, OR — 2019-06-08

Final reportWPR19TA162
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Date
2019-06-08
Location
Medford, OR, USA
Airport
MFR
Aircraft
Beech 35
Registration
N602BH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s mismanagement of fuel onboard, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

During the daytime visual flight rules flight, the private pilot experienced engine trouble. He was able to keep the engine running utilizing the auxiliary fuel pump and diverted to the departure airport. The pilot was unable to make it to the airport and descended into a residential neighborhood where the airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a tree. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the main fuel tanks had a sufficient quantity of fuel and that the auxiliary fuel tank was nearly empty. The fuel selector valve handle was found in the auxiliary fuel tank position. It is likely the pilot did not position the fuel selector switch to one of the main fuel tanks prior to consuming all the useable fuel in the auxiliary tank. This omission likely resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have switched to main fuel tank earlier to prevent engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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