# NTSB CHI91FA208: Temco D-16A, N88T, Eau Claire, MI, July 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1991, 20:15 local (Jul 13, 1991, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Eau Claire, MI
- Coordinates: 41.980003, -86.300666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9800&lon=-86.3007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA208

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL SELECTOR LEVER WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel system,selector/valve - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE AIRPLANE HAD REPLACED THE INTERIOR PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT.  DURING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CARPET IT WAS NECESSARY TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE FUEL SELECTOR LEVERS.  DURING THE FIRST TAKEOFF AFTER THE MAINTENANCE, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO TREES AND THE TERRAIN.  SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL SELECTOR LEVER WAS NOT PROPERLY REPLACED AND THE TANK TO WHICH IT WAS SELECTED DID NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT FUEL TO COMPLETE THE PROPOSED FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88T-1993-05-06), registration cancelled 1993-05-06, S/N TTN58 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEMCO D-16A
- Registry model: [Universal TEMCO D-16A](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-temco-d-16a) (registry code 9230608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TTN-58
- Engines: LYCOMING O-340-A1A 170 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert G. Rogein
- Registered owner: Robert G. Rogein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,678 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Observed at: SBN, 15 nm away

## 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 19910712027489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910712027489A), Jul 12, 1991: Multec D16A, Eau Claire, MI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Left engine quit on takeoff due fuel starvation. Hit trees. Selector installed wrong. Beleived on tank with fuel.

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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