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NTSB Report
May 25, 1990 · Piper PA-18 · N8474D
Fullerton, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Fullerton, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N8474D
Operator
Jefe Voladores
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90LA195
THE PILOT STATED HE DEPARTED WITH 35 GALLONS OF FUEL. FLEW FOR ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES DURING WHICH TIME HE FLEW HALF AND HALF ON THE TANKS. HE STATED HE DEPARTED AND LANDED ON THE LEFT TANK. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM NOTED 15 GALLONS IN THE RIGHT TANK AND 1/4 GALLON IN THE LEFT TANK. ALSO NOTED WAS A FIELD FABRICATED SECONDARY POINTER ON THE FUEL SELECTOR. THIS POINTER WOULD NOT CONSISTENTLY INDEX WITH THE STOCK IMPERIAL VALVE POINTER.
NTSB Probable Cause
FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE. A FACTOR WAS THE IMPROPERLY MODIFIED FUEL SELECTOR VALVE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED HE DEPARTED WITH 35 GALLONS OF FUEL. FLEW FOR ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES DURING WHICH TIME HE FLEW HALF AND HALF ON THE TANKS. HE STATED HE DEPARTED AND LANDED ON THE LEFT TANK. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM NOTED 15 GALLONS IN THE RIGHT TANK AND 1/4 GALLON IN THE LEFT TANK. ALSO NOTED WAS A FIELD FABRICATED SECONDARY POINTER ON THE FUEL SELECTOR. THIS POINTER WOULD NOT CONSISTENTLY INDEX WITH THE STOCK IMPERIAL VALVE POINTER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:46 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN8474D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJefe Voladores
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWFAC