Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The right seat passenger’s inadvertent contact with the emergency fuel shutoff valve, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to provide a thorough preflight briefing to the passenger seated in the cockpit.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot stated that during normal cruise flight the engine suddenly lost all power. He attempted to restart the engine, but was unable, and elected to make a forced landing in a bog. During the landing, the left wing and right elevator stuck trees, and sustained substantial damage.
After the forced landing, the pilot noticed that the emergency fuel shutoff lever on the right side of the center console had been moved toward the shutoff position.
The passenger that was seated in the right seat of the cockpit stated that we was unaware of the fuel shutoff lever, and was not briefed on specific areas to be aware of in the cockpit, but that he had been adjusting himself in the seat just prior to the engine shutting down.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC12CA070