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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 30, 2008 · Cessna 180K · N95ME

Redding, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Redding, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 180K
Tail Number
N95ME
Operator
Eric W Marshall
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08LA089

The pilot stated that, while maneuvering on downwind within the airport traffic pattern, he thought the fuel selector valve was on the "left" tank and rotated the handle 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to a position he thought was "both." As the pilot turned onto base leg, he noticed the engine had lost power and initiated a forced landing to an area adjacent to the runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on a rising embankment near the runway and came to rest upright. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the fuel selector valve was actually in the "right" position, and when he rotated the fuel selector handle he had inadvertently positioned the valve to the "off" position. The pilot added that there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector.

Full Narrative

On March 30, 2008, about 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180K, N95ME, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while in the traffic pattern at the Benton Field Airport (O85), Redding, California. The airplane was registered to Tres Amigos Flying Club, LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The personal flight originated from O85 about 5 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that after departure, he intended to remain within the airport traffic pattern to practice a series of landings. As the airplane was abeam the runway numbers for runway 33, the pilot extended 10 degrees of flaps and began configuring the airplane for landing. The pilot stated that he thought the fuel selector valve was on the "left" tank and rotated the handle 1/4 turn in the clockwise direction to a position he thought was "both." The pilot initiated a turn to base leg when he realized the airplane was slightly low and attempted to increase the engine power setting. He noticed that the engine had lost power and immediately retracted the flaps while initiating a forced landing to an area southwest of runway 33. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on a rising embankment near the runway and came to rest upright. The pilot added that the fuel selector valve was actually in the "right" position and when he rotated the fuel selector handle, he had inadvertently positioned the valve to the "off" position. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 PDT
Nearest AirportBenton Field Airport (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length2420 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180K
Tail NumberN95ME
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEric W Marshall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-027 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 12 C
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data