Pilot Debrief

Beech A36 near Brainerd, MN — 2018-07-30

Final reportCEN18LA302
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Date
2018-07-30
Location
Brainerd, MN, USA
Airport
BRD
Aircraft
Beech A36
Registration
N1856W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

Total loss of engine power due to a fuel supply interruption from the left tank for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in the subsequent forced landing into trees.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were on a 2-hour personal flight. Midway to the destination, the pilot switched the fuel selector from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank. While on a visual approach about 1 hour later, the engine lost power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and he made a forced landing into trees, which resulted in damage to both wings. One week before the accident, while the pilot was flying the same route, the engine lost power while on a visual approach. The pilot switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank and landed uneventfully. After landing, he switched from the right tank to the left tank and repeated the process twice; the engine lost power both times with the left tank selected. Maintenance personnel were unable to determine a cause for the power loss events, and the pilot flew the airplane back to his home airport without incident. The accident occurred on the next flight. A review of engine data indicated that the four power loss events occurred when the left fuel tank was about half full (19 gallons) and that they were consistent with an interruption of fuel supply to the engine. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel selector left detent was worn; however, because both in-flight power loss events occurred without the pilot moving the fuel selector, this issue is not relevant to the accident. No other anomalies were found with the fuel system, including the left-wing fuel tank (bladder) or venting system. Although the investigation was unable to identify any anomalies with the left fuel tank and venting system, the circumstances of the power loss events are consistent with a loss of fuel flow from the left tank.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Selecting the right fuel tank earlier could have prevented the engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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