CEN20LA015

The pilot reported that his preflight inspection revealed 18 gallons of fuel in the left tank and "no fuel in the right tank." After an engine run-up, he initiated a takeoff; he reported that he did not recall any further events of the flight. The airplane subsequently impacted a tree and terrain about 1/4 mile from the runway and came to rest near a ditch. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right fuel tank was empty, and the fuel selector valve was in the right tank position. The gascolator was intact and contained no fuel. It is likely that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to select the proper fuel tank.

On October 27, 2019, about 1055 central daylight time, a Piper PA22-150 airplane, N2621P, impacted terrain during a takeoff from Benson Airport (6MN9), White Bear Township, Minnesota. The airline transport pilot sustained serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged during the impact. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating from 6MN9 at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that this was the first flight of the day and he conducted a preflight examination of the airplane to include "trims." The pilot reported the fuel quantity was 18 gallons in the left tank, the engine had 5 quarts oil, and he indicated that there was "no fuel in the right tank." He taxied the airplane on runway 13 and performed a "running" carb check and magneto test. At end of runway 13, the pilot turned the airplane and broadcast the flight's takeoff on runway 31 and enter the traffic pattern. He started the takeoff on runway 31 and did not remember anything further about the flight. According to information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane impacted a tree and terrain about 1/4 mile northwest of the departure end of runway 31. It came to rest near a ditch. At 1045, the recorded weather at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport (Janes Field), near Minneapolis, Minnesota, was: Wind 300° at 10 kts, gusting to 15 kts; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition overcast clouds at 2,000 ft; temperature 7° C; dew point 2° C; altimeter 29.90 inches of mercury. The temperature and dew point spread were plotted on a carburetor icing chart. Their intersection on the icing chart indicated a probability of carburetor icing at any power setting. An FAA Inspector examined the wreckage after the accident and photo documented the airplane controls. The inspector indicated that the right fuel tank was found dry. The quantity of liquid present in the left fuel tank had a visual appearance of about 5 gallons. The fuel selector valve was positioned to the right fuel tank. The gascolator/strainer was intact and found to be dry when examined. The engine was not bound and it turned when rotated by hand. The airplane owner's handbook, in part, stated: Two 18-gallon fuel tanks located in the wings provide fuel storage in the Tri-Pacer. ... The main fuel strainer, through which all fuel going to the carburetor flows, is located on the lower left engine side of the firewall. … Before take-off, it is very important that the fuel selector be checked to make sure it is on the proper tank. CAUTION When fuel quantity in right tank is 1/3 or less use only in level flight.