Takeoff Starvation

When considering various portions of routine flight operations, it’s safe to say that landings comprise a majority of the time spent in training and practice. But takeoffs also pose risks; perhaps most important among them is that the airplane isn’t ready to fly. The reasons could involve something simple like a pitch trim setting or a door that isn’t properly latched. Ensuring these kinds of problems are resolved before adding takeoff power is one reason before-takeoff checklists were invented.

Key Takeaways:

• Aircraft takeoffs carry inherent risks, notably those related to improper fuel system configuration, which can be overlooked by standard checklists.
• A fatal Aerostar accident occurred due to the left engine losing power from fuel starvation during takeoff, leading to a loss of directional control.
• Investigation determined the left engine was likely set to crossfeed, drawing from a nearly empty tank, highlighting the hazard of switching fuel tanks immediately before takeoff.
• Pilots are advised to ensure fuel selectors are correctly configured per the checklist and then left undisturbed until the aircraft is safely aloft to prevent fuel starvation during critical flight phases.

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