Pilot Debrief

NORTH AMERICAN T 6G near Naples, FL — 2014-10-23

Final reportERA15LA030
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Date
2014-10-23
Location
Naples, FL, USA
Airport
APF
Aircraft
NORTH AMERICAN T 6G
Registration
N22NA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel starvation for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine fuel system components revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure.

NTSB narrative

According to the airline transport pilot, during the initial climb for the personal flight, when the airplane was about 150 to 250 ft above the ground, the engine lost all power. He lowered the landing gear, maintained flying airspeed, and then landed the airplane in the grass right of the runway. The airplane subsequently collided with a runway distance remaining sign and came to a stop. The pilot reported that there were 113 gallons of fuel on board the airplane at takeoff, and postaccident examination revealed that there was an adequate supply of fuel in the fuel tanks. However, during examination of the engine fuel system components, no fuel was found in the fuel line from the outlet of the mechanical fuel pump to the fuel flow transducer nor at the carburetor inlet fitting, consistent with fuel starvation. Further examination of the engine and remaining components of the fuel system revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure, and the reason for the fuel interruption to the engine could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have switched fuel selector to right tank before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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