Pilot Debrief

CESSNA L-19E near Sunflower, MS — 2022-03-24

Final reportCEN22LA178
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Date
2022-03-24
Location
Sunflower, MS, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA L-19E
Registration
N4583S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

The pilot planned a 1-hour flight to verify airplane performance, systems, and navigation equipment in preparation for a cross-country flight the next day. For most of the accident flight, he operated the airplane with the fuel selector in the main tank position. While transitioning to the destination airport about 500 ft above ground level, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the auxiliary fuel tank. About 2 minutes later, the engine “missed much like if the mags [magnetos] were switched off then immediately back on.” He then turned on the boost pump and switched the fuel selector back to the main fuel tank. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost total power. The pilot’s attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot executed a forced landing to a harvested cornfield. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s wing fuel lines (after the wings were removed) and fuel tanks revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was functionally tested at various power settings with an exemplar fuel tank, and no anomalies were noted. Engine operation was only interrupted when the fuel selector valve was placed between the detent selections. Further examination of the airplane wings found that the left fuel tank (main) vent line was completely obstructed with an unspecified material. Given the available evidence, this investigation could not determine if the blocked fuel vent line or an improper fuel selector position caused the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have ensured fuel selector was properly seated before switching tanks.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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