HOOD RIVER, OR, USA
N9833L
CESSNA 320B
In a written statement, the pilot reported that everything was normal for engine start and run-up. But, during the takeoff ground run, the left engine momentarily expereinced a partial loss of power and then regained full power again. The pilot continued the take off, but immediately after the airplane became airborne, the left engine again experienced a partial loss of power. The airplane yawed to the left, began to lose altitude and airspeed, and then began an uncommanded roll to the left. The pilot then reduced both throttles to idle as the aircraft descended into a pear orchard, where it impacted the ground in a nose down 'semi-level' attitude. During the post crash inspection, it was found that the left fuel selector was positioned in the 'off' quadrant, about half-way between the center of the quadrant and the edge of the 'left main' guadrant. The right fuel selector was positioned in the 'right main' quadrant.
On August 28, 1994, at 1130 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Cessna 320B, N9833L, collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff from the Hood River Airport, Hood River, Oregon. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, one passenger received serious injures, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which was departing for Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. A VFR flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. In a written statement, the pilot reported that everything was normal for engine start and run-up. But, during the takeoff ground run, the left engine momentarily experienced a partial loss of power, and then regained full power again. The pilot continued the take off, but immediately after the airplane became airborne, the left engine again experienced a partial loss of power. The airplane yawed to the left, began to lose altitude and airspeed, and then began an uncommanded roll to the left. The pilot then reduced both throttles to idle as the aircraft descended into a pear orchard, where it impacted the ground in a nose down "semi-level" attitude. During the post crash inspection, it was found that the left fuel selector was positioned in the "off" quadrant, about half-way between the center of the quadrant and the edge of the "left main" quadrant. The right fuel selector was positioned in the "right main" quadrant.
The pilot's failure to insure that the fuel selector was in the proper position which resulted in fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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