The commercial pilot and a passenger departed on a cross-country flight in the Beech 35.
Shortly after takeoff, the engine started “sputtering” and then lost power.
The pilot attempted to restore engine power to no avail and performed a forced landing to a field in Bowman, N.D.
The plane sustained substantial damage to the wing spars, while the pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger minor injuries.
A post-accident examination of the airframe, fuel system, and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Although both main fuel tanks were full, further examination revealed that there was no fuel in the fuel lines, fuel, pump, or engine forward of the airplane firewall and fuel selector.
It is likely that the fuel selector valve was not secured in the detent properly, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
NTSB Identification: CEN18LA354
This August 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Thought the first step in trying to restore power was switching tanks.
It’s also the first step in avoiding loss of fuel.
yes, a pilot’s 1st immediate action is to switch to a tank with known fuel in it. … for most low-wing aircraft.
The old Cessna I fly has a ‘both’ position on the fuel selector and , also, has no fuel pump to fail…gravity fuel feed.
I’ve tested the fuel selector, which it was out fix a a fuel leak, and fuel will flow in any position of the lever, greater than 30 degrees from ‘OFF’. So there’s no worry about positioning the lever a bit off a detent….a well engineered part.!