SAN ANTONIO, TX, USA
N261A
FAIRCHILD M-62A
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS DESCENDING TO TRAFFIC PATTERN ALTITUDE WHEN, AS HE WAS PASSING THROUGH ABOUT 650 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS. HE NOTED THAT THE LEFT TANK WAS SELECTED AND THAT THE RIGHT TANK WAS 3/4 FULL, BUT HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO SWITCH TANKS. HE SUBSEQUENTLY EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE CONFIRMED THE PILOT'S STATEMENTS WITH REGARD TO THE FUEL QUANTITY AND SELECTOR CONFIGURATION. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK.
On September 23, 1993, approximately 1515 central daylight time, a Fairchild M-62A, N261A, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near San Antonio, Texas. The airplane was on a cross country ferry flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot received minor injuries. According to the pilot, he was descending to land at San Antonio's Stinson Field after what he described as "a long circular route" from San Marcos, Texas. He stated that during the descent, a power loss occurred as he was passing through 1,200 feet MSL (650 feet AGL). He noted that the right tank was 3/4 full and that he had the left tank selected, but, he did not have time to switch tanks. He subsequently executed a forced landing into trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was positioned on the left tank, which was found empty. The right tank was found 3/4 full.
FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTION AND HIS FAILURE TO SWITCH TANKS AFTER THE POWER LOSS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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