CHI00LA137

While the pilot was conducting aerial application operations the engine lost partial power and the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing after failed attempts to regain sustained engine power. The pilot landed in rough terrain and the aircraft was substantially damaged during the landing. The pilot reported that the flight was initiated 45-minutes prior to the loss of engine power. The pilot stated that the flight began with 39-gallons of fuel in the left tank and 23-gallons of fuel in the right tank. The pilot stated that he had been operating on the left tank since departure. The pilot reported that the expected fuel burn was 27-gallons per hour. Examination of the fuel system, including the fuel selector, revealed no anomalies.

On May 14, 2000, at 0900 central daylight time, a Weatherly 201C, N9198W, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain, while executing a precautionary landing after a loss of engine power near Ionia, Kansas. The pilot was conducting aerial application operations at the time of the accident. Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The accident flight departed a private airstrip near Burr Oak, Kansas, at 0815, for the local flight.

According to the pilot's written statement, when he departed he had 23-gallons of useable fuel in the right tank and 39-gallons of useable fuel in the left tank. The pilot reported, "In app. [approximately] 45 min after take off the engine cut out restarted and run for app. 3 seconds, by pumping the thorotle [throttle] the engine restarted and run app 2-3 seconds[.] The right tank low fuel light came on when [the] engine first cut out." The pilot reported that the engine had been running off the left fuel tank for the entire flight up to the loss of engine power. The pilot continued, "I was flying app. 300 ft agl [above ground level]. The selector was move[d] back & forth from left to right a[t] least 3 times. By pumping the primer I was able to fly app 2.5 miles." The pilot stated that the area where he was flying was, "very rough ground (range land, with steep hills and deep draws...". The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing and during landing the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the expected fuel burn was 27-gallons per hour.

A representative of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted an on-scene examination of the wreckage on May 14, 2000. According to the inspectors statement, "Operation of the fuel selector revealed a detent in each position. The cowling was removed to gain access to the fuel selector valve, inspection revealed the valve installation was correct and operation appeared to be normal. Both wing tanks fuel quantity indicators were zero, the tanks were visually inspected and were empty. The pilot stated that after the accident, the fuel in the left tank had drained out during the night." The FAA inspector reported that he could not confirm or disprove the pilot's claim concerning the fuel leak, but noted that there was the smell of fuel at the accident site.

The aircraft was transported to a maintenance facility and the fuel system was examined. FAA records indicate that the fuel system was inspected and no discrepancies were noted. A dented fuel line from the right tank to the fuel selector was identified, but an operational test of the line revealed no restriction of fuel flow from the right tank.