# NTSB LAX97LA146: Cessna 170B, N2294D, Furnace Creek, CA, April 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 5, 1997, 14:31 local (22:31 UTC) - Place: Furnace Creek, CA - Coordinates: 36.599815, -116.829254 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5998&lon=-116.8293&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29762/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA146 ## Probable cause Fuel starvation resulting from disconnection of the fuel selector valve. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's intentional operation with known airplane deficiencies and the rough terrain. ## 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 - fuel system,selector/valve - disconnected (cause) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot departed with the fuel selector set to the 'both' tanks position. However, during the flight fuel appeared to have been mostly used from the right tank. To equalize the burn off, he repositioned the fuel selector to the left tank only position. Fuel continued to be consumed out of the right tank, and the engine quit when the right fuel tank gauge registered empty and the left tank gauge registered 3/4 full. The pilot made a forced landing on a road. Thereafter, the pilot examined his airplane and noted that the fuel selector handle was 'real loose.' The pilot manually siphoned between 12 and 15 gallons of fuel out of the left tank, poured it into the right tank, and took off. Several seconds into the initial climb, between 100 and 150 feet above ground level, all engine power was lost again. Unable to return to the road, the pilot made a forced landing on rough terrain. The fuel tank selector assembly was examined and its control shaft was found disconnected at its attachment to the fuel valve assembly. ## Factual narrative On April 5, 1997, at 1431 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 170B, N2294D, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power during initial climb from a road near the Mesquite Springs Campground, about 50 miles north of Furnace Creek in the Death Valley National Park, California. During the forced landing the airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight which originated from Henderson, Nevada, at 1015. According to the pilot, after departing from Henderson the fuel selector was set to the "both" tanks position. However, during the flight fuel appeared to have been mostly used from the right tank. The pilot stated that to equalize the burn off he repositioned the fuel selector to the left tank only position. The fuel continued to be used out of the right tank, and the engine quit when the right fuel tank gauge registered empty and the left tank gauge registered 3/4 full. The pilot made a forced landing on a road. The pilot reported he then inspected his airplane (which was manufactured in 1952) and noted the fuel selector handle was "real loose." He further reported that he manually siphoned between 12 and 15 gallons of fuel out of the left tank and poured it into the right tank. He and his wife then took off. Several seconds into the takeoff climb, between 100 and 150 feet above ground level, all engine power was lost again. Unable to return to the road, the pilot made a forced landing on rough terrain. The cockpit fuel tank selector assembly was subsequently examined. The tank selector handle shaft was found disconnected at its attachment to the fuel valve assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2294D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2294D), registered now, S/N 20446, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20446 - Airframe hours: 4204 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel E. Wheeler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1996, 69 hours before - Destination: BIH, BISHOP, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,324 total, 1,689 in this make and model, 2,324 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19970405004879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970405004879A), Apr 5, 1997: Cessna 170B, Furnace Creek, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine quit on takeoff at a low altitude. (.4)the pilot departed with the fuel selector set to the 'both' tanks position. However, during the flight… ## Other investigations on N2294D (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX93LA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA321), Aug 9, 1993: Cessna 170B (N2294D), Lakeport, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. 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.