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NTSB Report
September 23, 1993 · Fairchild M-62A · N261A
San Antonio, TX
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
San Antonio, TX
Aircraft
Fairchild M-62A
Tail Number
N261A
Operator
Confederate Air Force
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW93LA264
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS DESCENDING TO TRAFFIC PATTERN ALTITUDE WHEN, AS HE WAS PASSING THROUGH ABOUT 650 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS. HE NOTED THAT THE LEFT TANK WAS SELECTED AND THAT THE RIGHT TANK WAS 3/4 FULL, BUT HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO SWITCH TANKS. HE SUBSEQUENTLY EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE CONFIRMED THE PILOT'S STATEMENTS WITH REGARD TO THE FUEL QUANTITY AND SELECTOR CONFIGURATION. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK.
NTSB Probable Cause
FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTION AND HIS FAILURE TO SWITCH TANKS AFTER THE POWER LOSS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.
Full Narrative
On September 23, 1993, approximately 1515 central daylight time, a Fairchild M-62A, N261A, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near San Antonio, Texas. The airplane was on a cross country ferry flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot received minor injuries. According to the pilot, he was descending to land at San Antonio's Stinson Field after what he described as "a long circular route" from San Marcos, Texas. He stated that during the descent, a power loss occurred as he was passing through 1,200 feet MSL (650 feet AGL). He noted that the right tank was 3/4 full and that he had the left tank selected, but, he did not have time to switch tanks. He subsequently executed a forced landing into trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was positioned on the left tank, which was found empty. The right tank was found 3/4 full.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftFairchild M-62A
Tail NumberN261A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorConfederate Air Force
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRanger · L-440-3 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130°
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:30
Weather SourceWFAC