# NTSB LAX92LA234: Jacanin Great Lakes, N4045, Gila Bend, AZ, June 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1992, 09:17 local (16:17 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.98925, -112.899971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9892&lon=-112.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA234

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY POSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE FULL 'ON' SETTING.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE AND THE LOCATION OF THE TEMPORARY RADIO INSTALLATION WHICH LIMITED THE PILOT'S VIEW OF THE SELECTOR VALVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip inadequate,visual restriction (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - altitude - inadequate
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS ON THE DELIVERY FLIGHT FROM ARIZONA TO GEORGIA. HE LANDED AT THE AIRPORT FOR A FUEL STOP AND TOOK OFF AFTER TOPPING THE FUEL TANK. THE PILOT SAID HE ATTAINED ABOUT 100 FEET AGL WHEN THE ENGINE POWER LEVEL SUDDENLY REDUCED TO IDLE. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO AFFECT A LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE FUEL SELECTOR IS AN 'ON' OR 'OFF' VALVE WITHOUT DETENTS. ONE QUARTER OF A TURN (90 DEGREES) OF THE VALVE IS THE TOTAL MOTION BETWEEN SETTINGS. THE VALVE HANDLE WAS FOUND ABOUT 15 DEGREES FROM THE FULL ON POSITION. THE PREVIOUS AIRCRAFT OWNER STATED THAT THE FUEL VALVE IS VERY SENSITIVE TO BEING IN AN INTERMEDIATE SETTING. HE SAID THAT IF THE VALVE WERE IN ANYTHING BUT THE FULL ON POSITION, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4045](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4045-1995-10-26), registration cancelled 1995-10-26, S/N 6906F161B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JACANIN GREAT LAKES (GREAT LAKE)
- Registry model: [Great Lakes HOMEBUILT](https://openairdocs.org/model/great-lakes-homebuilt) (registry code 39120PG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6906F161B
- Airframe hours: 285
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John H. Connor
- Registered owner: John H. Connor
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: E63
- Destination: DGL, DOUGLASS, AZ
- Airport: E63, Gila Bend Muni, runway 4, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,899 total, 2 in this make and model, 10,899 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °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 19920604018289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920604018289A), Jun 4, 1992: Amtrgl GREATLAKES, Gila Bend, AZ, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Struck ground nose first on forced landing. No detentes on fuel valve. Not full on.

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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