# NTSB ATL88DMG02: Questair 20, N62V, Greensboro, NC, October 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1987, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Greensboro, NC
- Location: 36.0726° N, 79.7920° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greensboro, NC, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0726&lon=-79.7920&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88DMG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88DMG02

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - closed (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- Undershoot, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKE-OFF, AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND LAND. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FOUND TO HAVE THREE FUEL SELECTORS INSTALLED. THE MAIN FUEL SELECTOR, WHICH SUPPLIES FUEL TO THE ENGINE, WAS IN THE 'ON' POSITION. THE TWO FUEL SELECTORS FROM BOTH THE RT AND LEFT FUEL CELLS WERE FOUND IN THE 'OFF' POSITIONS. THESE TWO FUEL SELECTORS MUST BE IN THE 'ON' POSITION TO SUPPLY FUEL TO THE MAIN FUEL SELECTOR. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A HEADER TANK WHICH HAS A CAPACITY OF APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF GALLON. THE ENGINE WAS RECOVERED AND SUCCESSFULLY RUN ON A TEST STAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N62V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: QUESTAIR 20
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0001
- Airframe hours: 79
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-PB 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Questair, Inc.
- Registered owner: Questair, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 12, 1987, 79 hours before
- Departed: GSO, GREENSBORO, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,425 total, 75 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19871014059709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871014059709A), Oct 14, 1987: Amtrjg QUESTAIR20, Greensboro, NC, Substantial damage. Power loss after takeoff due to fuel flow interruption. Crashed on airport. Two fuel selector valves were shut off.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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