LUBBOCK, TX, USA
N5682T
Cessna 172E
During a daytime IFR cross-country flight in visual meteorological conditions, the approach controller at the destination airport cleared the airplane for a straight-in-approach to the runway. Subsequently, the pilot reported a loss of engine power and a forced landing. During the landing roll in a field, the nose gear collapsed in the soft dirt, and the airplane nosed over to the inverted position. The pilot reported that each time he moved the fuel selector from the 'BOTH' to the 'LEFT' position, the engine lost power. An FAA inspector interviewed the pilot and reported that 'it appeared the pilot may not have moved the selector completely to the detent for the left fuel tank. Operation of the CE-172-E with the fuel selector between detents may cause reduced fuel flow or completely stop fuel flow to the engine.' According to the inspector, during a ground/flight checkout in the airplane two days before the accident, the flight instructor 'did not cover the operation of the fuel selector in great detail because [the pilot] held a commercial pilot license.' The inspector examined the airplane and found fuel in the aircraft fuel tanks and no mechanical discrepancies with the fuel selector valve.
On April 7, 2000, at 1010 central daylight time, a Cessna 172E single-engine airplane, N5682T, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lubbock, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and an IFR flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot was not injured, and his sole passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which departed Ennis, Texas, at 0645. The Lubbock approach controller cleared the airplane for a straight-in approach to runway 26 at the Lubbock International Airport. Six miles east-southeast of the airport, the pilot reported that "he was going down." During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed in soft dirt, and the airplane nosed over to the inverted position. During an interview, conducted by the FAA inspector, the pilot reported that each time he moved the fuel selector from the "BOTH" position to the "LEFT" position, the engine lost power. The FAA inspector stated that "it appeared the pilot may not have moved the selector completely to the detent for the left fuel tank. Operation of the CE-172-E with the fuel selector between detents may cause reduced fuel flow or completely stop fuel flow to the engine." According to the inspector, during a ground/flight checkout in the airplane two days before the accident, the flight instructor "did not cover the operation of the fuel selector in great detail because [the pilot] held a commercial pilot license." The FAA inspector examined the airplane and found structural damage to the firewall and the aft cabin. According to the inspector, "there appeared to be adequate fuel on board." The inspector found no mechanical discrepancies with the fuel selector valve.
The pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel selector which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the fuel system due to an inadequate checkout by a flight instructor, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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