At 1131 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged after a total loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb. Visual conditions prevailed; the Commercial pilot reported serious injuries. The accident flight was the first after completing an annual inspection. When they arrived at the airport, the two co-owners noticed the left wing was lower than the right wing and fuel was draining out of the fuel vent. The fuel selector valve then was turned to the right main fuel tank position. The left main fuel tank was full; an estimated six gallons was present in the right tank. After takeoff, the pilot initiated a right crosswind turn. The engine quit and the pilot attempted to move the fuel selector valve to the left main fuel tank position. The shoulder harness was locked and he could not reach the fuel selector valve. The pilot made a forced landing straight ahead into trees.
July 1, 2006, Ringgold, Ga. / Cessna 172H
At 1131 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged after a total loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb. Visual conditions prevailed; the Commercial pilot reported serious injuries. The accident flight was the first after completing an annual inspection. When they arrived at the airport, the two co-owners noticed the left wing was lower than the right wing and fuel was draining out of the fuel vent. The fuel selector valve then was turned to the right main fuel tank position. The left main fuel tank was full; an estimated six gallons was present in the right tank. After takeoff, the pilot initiated a right crosswind turn. The engine quit and the pilot attempted to move the f...
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane suffered substantial damage and the pilot sustained serious injuries after a total loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb.
- The engine failure stemmed from the pilot selecting the right main fuel tank, which had limited fuel, after observing fuel draining from the full left wing pre-flight.
- The pilot was unable to switch to the full left fuel tank during the emergency because his locked shoulder harness prevented him from reaching the fuel selector valve.
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