Pilot Debrief

RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY B36TC near Decatur, IL — 2014-08-06

Final reportCEN14LA408
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Date
2014-08-06
Location
Decatur, IL, USA
Airport
DEC
Aircraft
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY B36TC
Registration
N1069T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

Debris in the fuel system, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while on approach to the airport, he switched the fuel selector handle to the left fuel tank. Minutes later, while he was turning the airplane in the traffic pattern, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. He switched on the electric fuel pump, and the engine power was briefly restored. The engine lost power again, and the pilot made a forced landing to a cornfield on the south side of the airfield. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that fibrous debris, which measured 0.2 inch by 0.4 inch, was present in the fuel manifold valve and the filter screen. Similar debris was also found obstructing the inside of the fuel selector screen. Data extracted from the airplane's engine monitor data card revealed that, during cruise flight, the fuel flow was inconsistent, ranging from about 20 to 95 gallons per hour (gph); this was likely due to the debris obstruction. In the final minute of the flight, the fuel flow decreased to 5 gph and then spiked to 75 gph, which is consistent with the fuel pump being switched on, before decreasing again without recovering. The engine rpm tracked with the reductions and increase in fuel flow. Based on the physical evidence and the engine data, it is likely that the debris in the fuel selector screen ultimately blocked the fuel from reaching the engine, which resulted in fuel starvation.

Analysis

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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