ATL07LA120

The pilot flew some of the cross-country flight with the fuel selector positioned to the right main fuel tank, rather than both fuel tanks, as the airplane seemed heavy on the right side. During the return flight to his home airport, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and collided with a fence post during a forced landing. Examination of the wreckage revealed that approximately 10 gallons of fuel was found in the left main fuel tank, and 2 gallons in the right main fuel tank. The engine was started and ran normally at idle to 1,700 rpm, followed by a normal shutdown. No mechanical anomalies were noted during examination or run-up of the engine. The fuel limitations for standard fuel tanks on the make and model accident airplane were 30.5 gallons in each fuel tank. There are a total of 55 gallons of usable fuel and 6 gallons of unusable fuel in all flight conditions. This amounts to 27.5 gallons of usable fuel and 3 gallons of unusable fuel for each main fuel tank.

On August 26, 2007, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F amphibian airplane, N1344Q, experienced a total loss of engine power and collided with trees during an emergency landing near Danube, New York. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was registered to Wild Blue Yonder Leasing LLC and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91.

The pilot stated that he departed from Hamilton Municipal Airport (VGC), Hamilton, New York, and flew uneventfully to a lake in Meredith, New Hampshire. He said that during climbout, he had used the fuel from the right fuel tank because the airplane seemed "heavy on that side." During his return flight to VGC, he again used the fuel from the right main fuel tank. He recalled flying approximately 1 hour prior to his descent from 2,500 to 2,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, he switched his fuel selector to the both position and the engine "quit." He said that he was approximately "five miles" from VGC, but did not have enough time to make a "mayday" radio call or attempt an engine restart. During the subsequent forced landing to a field, the airplane struck a fence post and sustained substantial damage.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane's floats were collapsed, and the fuselage was buckled. Further examination reveled that the airplane was equipped with 2 standard main fuel tanks, and both main fuel tanks were not breached. Approximately 10 gallons of fuel was found in the left fuel tank, and 2 gallons in the right fuel tank. The airplane was transported to VGC for further examination, and a fuel container was plumbed into the left wing tank supply line. The engine was then started and ran normally for approximately 2 minutes at idle to 1,700 rpm, followed by a normal shutdown. No mechanical anomalies were noted during examination or run-up of the engine.

A review of the Cessna Pilot's Operating Handbook revealed that the fuel limitations for standard fuel tanks on the A185F were 30.5 gallons in each fuel tank. There are a total of 55 gallons of usable fuel and 6 gallons of unusable fuel in all flight conditions. This amounts to 27.5 gallons of usable fuel and 3 gallons of unusable fuel for each wing fuel tank.