Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 305A near Fredericksburg, TX — 2011-11-30

Final reportCEN12LA094
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Date
2011-11-30
Location
Fredericksburg, TX, USA
Airport
T82
Aircraft
CESSNA 305A
Registration
N6735Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

While on approach to the runway, the pilot added power to the engine to adjust the approach path, and the engine did not respond. The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and he performed a forced landing to a nearby field. During the landing, the airplane struck a wire and then the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that caps were present on the fuel tank vent lines, creating a vacuum and preventing fuel flow to the engine. The pilot said that he had placed the caps on the fuel vent lines to keep insects out of the lines and the fuel tanks and forgot to remove them during his preflight inspection. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot forgot to remove fuel vent line caps during preflight inspection.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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