 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
Fairchild 24 pilot shuts off the left fuel tank valve and forgets to restore it when the engine quits. A dead stick landing at a military base ensues where the problem is diagnosed and the reporter departs.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 908887 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201009 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Fairchild Swearingen Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Selector |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20 Flight Crew Total 3000 Flight Crew Type 240 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
At the beginning of a trip; I shut off the left tank fuel valve to operate on the right tank alone. This is not a normal (habitual) procedure for me. When the engine subsequently quit due to fuel starvation; I forgot that the left tank was off. I neglected to check it in the excitement (I was locked into the mindset that the left tank was on); and consequently made a forced landing; at night; at a military base that was temporarily closed. I then realized my error; and was subsequently able to turn the left tank on; start up; and depart after being ok'd to do so by base security. This event impresses me with the importance of being extra careful if ever departing from normal or habitual procedures; and taking special steps to keep your unfamiliar or unusual actions in mind.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Fairchild 24 pilot shuts off the left fuel tank valve and forgets to restore it when the engine quits. A dead stick landing at a military base ensues where the problem is diagnosed and the reporter departs.
Narrative: At the beginning of a trip; I shut off the left tank fuel valve to operate on the right tank alone. This is not a normal (habitual) procedure for me. When the engine subsequently quit due to fuel starvation; I forgot that the left tank was OFF. I neglected to check it in the excitement (I was locked into the mindset that the left tank was ON); and consequently made a forced landing; at night; at a military base that was temporarily closed. I then realized my error; and was subsequently able to turn the left tank ON; start up; and depart after being OK'd to do so by Base Security. This event impresses me with the importance of being extra careful if ever departing from normal or habitual procedures; and taking special steps to keep your unfamiliar or unusual actions in mind.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.