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An M20 pilot deadsticked to a safe landing at a nearby airport when the engine failed while switching tanks. A malfunctioning fuel tank selector valve was reponsible.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1073911 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201303 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | M-20 G Statesman |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach Direct |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Distribution System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 500 Flight Crew Total 2000 Flight Crew Type 100 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
During the descent I switched the fuel selector from the left to right tank and experienced engine failure due to loss of fuel pressure. I returned the fuel selector to the left tank and never regained fuel pressure. At this time I turned towards [the airport] and notified ATC of engine problems and stated my intention to land at [the airport]. We made a safe landing on runway 18 with no damage or injuries. The next morning we discovered that the fuel selector handle had separated from the fuel selector stem that extends into the fuel valve which was stuck in the off position.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: An M20 pilot deadsticked to a safe landing at a nearby airport when the engine failed while switching tanks. A malfunctioning fuel tank selector valve was reponsible.
Narrative: During the descent I switched the fuel selector from the left to right tank and experienced engine failure due to loss of fuel pressure. I returned the fuel selector to the left tank and never regained fuel pressure. At this time I turned towards [the airport] and notified ATC of engine problems and stated my intention to land at [the airport]. We made a safe landing on Runway 18 with no damage or injuries. The next morning we discovered that the fuel selector handle had separated from the fuel selector stem that extends into the fuel valve which was stuck in the off position.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.