Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 15 May 2003
Aircraft Type: Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster
Owner/operator: DK&L Company
Registration Number: N208AD
Location: 7 km W of Lorain County Regional Airport, OH (LPR) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Substantial, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Component Affected: Fuel selector warning horn and fuel selector system.Fuel selector warning horn and fuel selector system.
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A pilot reported a loss of engine power during takeoff following a fuel starvation situation. The pilot initially initiated a climb at 90-100 knots with a 10-15 degree pitch, experienced a momentary reduction in engine torque, and subsequently lost engine power. The pilot then attempted to regain power by advancing the lever, but this failed. The pilot reported a low fuel pressure light and a decrease in fuel flow, and eventually initiated a forced landing in a field, inverted.A pilot reported a loss of engine power during takeoff following a fuel starvation situation. The pilot initially initiated a climb at 90-100 knots with a 10-15 degree pitch, experienced a momentary reduction in engine torque, and subsequently lost engine power. The pilot then attempted to regain power by advancing the lever, but this failed. The pilot reported a low fuel pressure light and a decrease in fuel flow, and eventually initiated a forced landing in a field, inverted.

Description

The pilot reported that for takeoff, both fuel selectors were ON, and his initial climb was conducted at 90 to 100 knots, with a 10 to 15 degree pitch attitude. He momentarily leveled at 2,200 feet, and sensed a decrease in engine torque. The low fuel pressure light illuminated, and the fuel flow was lower than normal. The pilot turned the boost pump and ignition ON, and there was no change in engine condition or fuel flow, and the low fuel pressure light remained illuminated. He then advanced the power lever to the full power position, and there was no response from the engine. The pilot heard what he thought was an engine noise, which he described as a decreasing sound. He set up for a forced landing in a field. The airplane came to rest near a residence, inverted. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The pilot’s failure to verify the position of the fuel selectors prior to takeoff, which resulted in a power loss due to fuel starvation. A factor was the failure of the fuel selector warning horn.”

Primary Cause

Failure to verify fuel selector position prior to takeoff, resulting in fuel starvation.Failure to verify fuel selector position prior to takeoff, resulting in fuel starvation.

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