LONDON, KY, USA
N29308
CESSNA 177B
DURING A LOCAL FIRE PATROL FLIGHT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. IT WAS THE SECOND FLIGHT OF THE DAY AND THE PILOT HAD REFUELED THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE FIRST FLIGHT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE BOTH POSITION FOR EACH FLIGHT. ABOUT 2 HOURS INTO THE SECOND FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE LEFT TANK INDICATED THREE QUARTERS FULL; THE RIGHT TANK INDICATED EMPTY. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHICH INCLUDED SWITCHING TO THE LEFT TANK ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A UTILITY POLE DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A GRASS FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE FAA REVEALED THE LEFT TANK WAS THREE QUARTERS FULL AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE LEFT TANK.
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION DUE TO INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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