BUTLER, PA, USA
N827Z
FOSTER AIRSPEED
THE OWNER INTENDED TO PUT HIS AIRCRAFT ON STATIC DISPLAY AT THE AIRPORT FLY-IN WHICH WAS ON THE SAME AIRPORT. A FRIEND INFORMED THE OWNER THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO FLY THE PLANE AND THE OWNER DISCLOSED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT INSPECTION. THE PLANE WAS FUELED WITH 3 GAL OF GASOLINE AND THE OWNER SUGGESTED THAT HIS FRIEND TAXI IT TO THE STATIC DISPLAY AREA. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF ON RUNWAY 18 AND BEGAN A CLIMBING LEFT TURN. ONE WITNESS REPORTED THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STEEP TURN AND THE NOSE BEGAN DROPPING. REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE AIRCRAFT UP FROM A HIGH SINK RATE. ACCORDING TO A NEARBY WITNESS, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A FLAT ATTITUDE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE OUTLET OF THE FUEL TANK WAS IN THE CENTER/BOTTOM OF THE TANK. THE OWNER BELIEVED THAT WITH ONLY 3 GAL OF FUEL, FUEL STARVATION COULD OCCUR IN UNCOORDINATED FLIGHT OR STEEP CLIMBS OR DIVES. HE BELIEVE THERE WAS 1 GAL OF UNUSABLE FUEL IN NORMAL BANKS/CAREFUL CLIMB
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
