Pilot Debrief

Vans RV 4 near Williamson, GA — 2019-06-27

Final reportERA19LA219
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Date
2019-06-27
Location
Williamson, GA, USA
Airport
5GA3
Aircraft
Vans RV 4
Registration
N102GL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent misplacement of the fuel selector, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he switched the fuel selector while taxiing for takeoff. During takeoff, about 150 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power and impacted trees. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel selector was between the right and left tank positions. No fuel was found in the carburetor bowl and about 1 ounce of fuel was found in the accelerator pump cavity. No other anomalies were found with the engine. Therefore, the loss of engine power was likely due to the pilot's inadvertent placement of the fuel selector between the two tanks, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not sample fuel or confirm fuel quantity before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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