N46YK

On August 2, 1995, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Nanchang Yak 18A, operated by Rensselaer Learning Systems, Inc., sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in Superior Township, Michigan. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The personal flight originated in Plymouth, Michigan a few minutes prior to the accident with a planned destination of Rochester, New York. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he filled all three fuel tanks prior to takeoff. After takeoff, he remained at a low altitude to maneuver around class B airspace. About ten minutes into the flight, "the fuel pressure dropped to zero" and the engine lost power. He did not move the fuel selector because he thought he had selected the fuselage tank, the higher of the three. He extended the landing gear, "turned everything off except the ELT," and conducted a forced landing. During the landing, the "gear caught in mud," collapsed and the airplane nosed over.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that "prior to takeoff, on several previous flights, fuel selector was hard to move."

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage reported that all three fuel tanks were nearly full. Examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction. Fuel supply lines from the tanks to the engine were intact and contained fuel. The fuel quantity in the 2.5 gallon header tank was not determined. The vent system was clear and the fuel pump operated when it was tested. He reported that the fuel selector valve position was indeterminate. The valve functioned normally when tested, however, the valve was very difficult to operate from the pilot's seat. It was positioned near the front left corner of the pilot's seat and was "difficult to manipulate and it was difficult to determine which tank was selected or if the valve was in the proper position."