Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 180K near Redding, CA — 2008-03-30

Final reportLAX08LA089
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Date
2008-03-30
Location
Redding, CA, USA
Airport
O85
Aircraft
CESSNA 180K
Registration
N95ME
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that, while maneuvering on downwind within the airport traffic pattern, he thought the fuel selector valve was on the "left" tank and rotated the handle 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to a position he thought was "both." As the pilot turned onto base leg, he noticed the engine had lost power and initiated a forced landing to an area adjacent to the runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on a rising embankment near the runway and came to rest upright. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the fuel selector valve was actually in the "right" position, and when he rotated the fuel selector handle he had inadvertently positioned the valve to the "off" position. The pilot added that there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe prior to the accident.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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