Pilot Debrief

TOMLINSON TRACY L TUKAN near Erie, CO — 2018-01-18

Final reportCEN18LA080
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Date
2018-01-18
Location
Erie, CO, USA
Airport
EIK
Aircraft
TOMLINSON TRACY L TUKAN
Registration
N907T
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The student pilot’s inadvertent shutting off of the fuel valve while on approach, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot conducted seven takeoffs and landings on a dual instructional flight in the weight-shift-controlled aircraft. The aircraft was operating normally. After the dual instruction, the aircraft was taxied back to a hangar, where the instructor explained single-pilot operations to the student. The student pilot then took off solo. The instructor observed that the student pilot seemed to lose control on his first final approach and executed a go-around. On the second approach, the instructor observed the aircraft on final; it collided with trees and the wing struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the aircraft did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot indicated that, while securing the aircraft after the accident, he realized that he had inadvertently shut off the fuel valve while on the downwind leg instead of activating the carburetor heat. He stated that the two systems had similar push/pull control knobs that were positioned next to each other in the cockpit.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Student pilot could have checked fuel valve before final approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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