Pilot Debrief

WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC 620B near Coleman, TX — 2016-11-12

Final reportCEN17LA038
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Date
2016-11-12
Location
Coleman, TX, USA
Aircraft
WEATHERLY AVIATION CO INC 620B
Registration
N2035J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was practicing agricultural application operations on his first flight in the accident airplane. While climbing after completing a spray pass, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and the pilot made a forced landing during which the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right fuel tank was intact and void of fuel, while the left tank was breached, with fuel leaking from the tank. The fuel selector was in the right tank position. No engine anomalies were observed. The pilot had been advised by the owner to switch fuel tanks after flying about 40 minutes, but failed to do so. His advice was based on the engine's typical fuel burn of about 33 gallons per hour and fuel tank capacity of 35 gallons per wing tank. The owner estimated the airplane was airborne for about one hour before the accident occurred. Given the airplane's time in flight and the lack of fuel found in the right wing tank after the accident, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have switched fuel tanks earlier as advised before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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