Pilot Debrief

Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo near Franklin, CA — 2009-10-10

Final reportWPR10LA014
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Date
2009-10-10
Location
Franklin, CA, USA
Airport
F72
Aircraft
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo
Registration
N649BV
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of the certified flight instructor's improper fuel system management.

NTSB narrative

While the student pilot was performing a touch-and-go takeoff and landing, the engine sputtered and lost power about 150 feet above ground level. The certified flight instructor (CFI) took the flight controls and continued the flight straight ahead for a forced landing to an open field. The CFI indicated that the field was rough, and during the landing roll, when the nose landing gear contacted the ground, it snapped off, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. After the accident, the CFI exited the airplane and instructed the student to turn off all the electronics, the fuel, and the ignition. The student said he attempted to turn off the pilot's side fuel selector, but found that it was already in the off position; the copilot's fuel selector was in the on position, so he turned that off before he departed the airplane. The CFI and the student pilot recalled that the left side fuel selector was turned off during the flight to the destination airport in order to balance the fuel load. Before landing, the CFI likely turned the fuel selector to the “off” position rather than the “both” position.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
CFI could have ensured both fuel tanks were properly selected before approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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