Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On February 8, 2013, approximately 1245 central standard time, a North American Medore SNJ-4, N2269U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing south of Garden City, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight departed Boerne, Texas, at 1115 and was en route to Midland, Texas.
According to the pilot, at 8,500 feet, during cruise flight, he switched fuel tanks and subsequently lost engine power and fuel pressure. The pilot attempted to restore fuel pressure by using the wobble pump and switching fuel tanks; however, he was not successful. During the forced landing the right main landing gear tire exited the road and the airplane continued through a fence and into mesquite brush. The left wing spar was bent.
During the recovery of the airplane 1.5 gallons of fuel was recovered from the right fuel tank and 12.5 gallons of fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank. Neither fuel tank exhibited damage or fuel leaks during the recovery.
An examination of the engine, wobble pump, engine driven fuel pump, and fuel system revealed no anomalies.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN13LA157