# NTSB CHI95LA257: Nanchang 18A, N46YK, Superior Twnshp, MI, August 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1995, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Superior Twnshp, MI - Coordinates: 42.37038, -83.460266 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3704&lon=-83.4603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9975 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA257 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9975/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA257 ## Probable cause the pilot's operation of the airplane with a known deficiency in the fuel selector, and his improper positioning of the fuel selector. A factor relating to the accident was: the fuel selector's restriction of movement. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fuel system,selector/valve - movement restricted (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Gear collapsed, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - wet ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REMAINED AT A LOW ALTITUDE TO MANEUVER AROUND CLASS B AIRSPACE. ABOUT TEN MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, 'THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO' AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE 'GEAR CAUGHT IN MUD,' COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, ON SEVERAL PREVIOUS FLIGHTS, FUEL SELECTOR WAS HARD TO MOVE.' EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WHEN TESTED, HOWEVER, THE VALVE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE FROM THE PILOT'S SEAT. IT WAS POSITIONED NEAR THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE SEAT, AND ACCORDING TO A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR, WAS 'DIFFICULT TO MANIPULATE, AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHICH TANK WAS SELECTED OR IF THE VALVE WAS IN THE PROPER POSITION.' ## Factual narrative On August 2, 1995, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Nanchang Yak 18A, operated by Rensselaer Learning Systems, Inc., sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in Superior Township, Michigan. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The personal flight originated in Plymouth, Michigan a few minutes prior to the accident with a planned destination of Rochester, New York. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he filled all three fuel tanks prior to takeoff. After takeoff, he remained at a low altitude to maneuver around class B airspace. About ten minutes into the flight, "the fuel pressure dropped to zero" and the engine lost power. He did not move the fuel selector because he thought he had selected the fuselage tank, the higher of the three. He extended the landing gear, "turned everything off except the ELT," and conducted a forced landing. During the landing, the "gear caught in mud," collapsed and the airplane nosed over. In his written statement, the pilot reported that "prior to takeoff, on several previous flights, fuel selector was hard to move." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage reported that all three fuel tanks were nearly full. Examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunction. Fuel supply lines from the tanks to the engine were intact and contained fuel. The fuel quantity in the 2.5 gallon header tank was not determined. The vent system was clear and the fuel pump operated when it was tested. He reported that the fuel selector valve position was indeterminate. The valve functioned normally when tested, however, the valve was very difficult to operate from the pilot's seat. It was positioned near the front left corner of the pilot's seat and was "difficult to manipulate and it was difficult to determine which tank was selected or if the valve was in the proper position." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46YK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46YK), registered now, S/N 2751232, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Nanchang 18A - Registry model: [Nanchang China YAK-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/nanchang-china-yak-18a) (registry code 05618Z9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2751232 - Airframe hours: 4000 - Engines: VORONEZH M-14P 360 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rensselaer Learning Systems - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1995, 20 hours before - Departed: 1D2, PLYMOUTH, MI - Destination: 3G8, BATAVIA, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,474 total, 175 in this make and model, 2,227 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19950802021669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950802021669A), Aug 2, 1995: Yaklev YAK18A, Superior Townsh, MI, Substantial damage. Lost fuel pressure and power. Gear folded in mud landing. Nosed over. Hard to use fuel selector not in detente. (-23) during forced landing following engine… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.