# NTSB FTW93LA264: Fairchild M-62A, N261A, San Antonio, TX, September 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1993, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.320526, -98.470733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3205&lon=-98.4707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA264

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTION AND HIS FAILURE TO SWITCH TANKS AFTER THE POWER LOSS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS DESCENDING TO TRAFFIC PATTERN ALTITUDE WHEN, AS HE WAS PASSING THROUGH ABOUT 650 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS. HE NOTED THAT THE LEFT TANK WAS SELECTED AND THAT THE RIGHT TANK WAS 3/4 FULL, BUT HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO SWITCH TANKS. HE SUBSEQUENTLY EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE CONFIRMED THE PILOT'S STATEMENTS WITH REGARD TO THE FUEL QUANTITY AND SELECTOR CONFIGURATION. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK.

## Factual narrative

On September 23, 1993, approximately 1515 central daylight time, a Fairchild M-62A, N261A, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near San Antonio, Texas.  The airplane was on a cross country ferry flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot received minor injuries.

According to the pilot, he was descending to land at San Antonio's Stinson Field after what he described as "a long circular route" from San Marcos, Texas.  He stated that during the descent, a power loss occurred as he was passing through 1,200 feet MSL (650 feet AGL).  He noted that the right tank was 3/4 full and that he had the left tank selected, but, he did not have time to switch tanks.  He subsequently executed a forced landing into trees.  Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was positioned on the left tank, which was found empty.  The right tank was found 3/4 full.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N261A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N261A-2009-12-02), registration cancelled 2009-12-02, S/N T434383, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD M-62A
- Registry model: [Fairchild M-62A](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62a) (registry code 3371604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Fairchild 6-440 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/fairchild-6-440-series) (registry code 26003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T434383
- Airframe hours: 1937
- Engines: RANGER L-440-3 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: American Airpower Heritage
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1993, 24 hours before
- Departed: T98, SAN MARCOS, TX
- Destination: SSF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,650 total, 11 in this make and model, 2,595 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SSF, 1 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 19930923036219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930923036219A), Sep 23, 1993: Frchld M62A, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on descent to ssf. No time switch tanks. Landed in trees. Fuel selector on empty tank. Other had 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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