Pilot Debrief

Aero Commander 100 near Mullin, TX — 2020-01-04

Final reportCEN20LA055
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Date
2020-01-04
Location
Mullin, TX, USA
Aircraft
Aero Commander 100
Registration
N5573M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot were conducting a cross-country flight. During a gradual descent to the destination airstrip, the engine lost total power, and the airplane sustained substantial damage during the subsequent forced landing. The airplane was recovered from the accident site and an engine examination and test run revealed no anomalies. Examination of the fuel selector revealed that either the fuel selector handle or the pointer was installed 180° out of position. When the selector handle was selected to BOTH, the valve was completely closed, in what should have been the OFF position. When the selector handle was selected to OFF, the valve was open, in what should have been the BOTH position. The temperature and dewpoint for the accident time and accident site were not conducive to the formation of carburetor icing. It is possible that if the fuel selector was manipulated to the BOTH position during the flight, the fuel may have been prevented from reaching the engine due to the incorrect installation of the selector handle. However, the examination could not determine whether it was the selector handle or the pointer that was installed incorrectly. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Properly checking fuel selector installation before flight could have prevented the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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