MIA95LA029

During cruise flight at 2,500 feet, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot stated that she pushed the mixture control full rich and throttle full forward and the engine power was restored for 1 minute then failed again. She did not reposition the fuel selector or check the magnetos after the loss of power. The airplane was landed on a road, collided with road signs and an unmarked transmission line then crashed into a canal. After the accident the left fuel tank was drained and found to contain all water, no fuel. The right fuel tank was drained and found to contain 12 gallons of fuel, no water. At the accident site the left wing was submerged. Both fuel tanks were found to be impact damaged. After the accident the engine was started and found to operate normally.

On November 27, 1994, about 1658 eastern standard time, an American General AG5B, N624FT, registered to and operated by the Florida Institute of Technology, crashed into a canal during a forced landing near Lakeport, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant was not injured. The flight originated from the Homestead General Aviation Airport, Homestead, Florida, about 1638.

The flight was a planned three-leg solo cross-country with a full stop landing at the first airport. Before departure for the first flight, each fuel tank was full. The pilot stated that before landing at the first airport, she positioned the fuel selector to the opposite tank. The duration of the first flight was 1 hour 22 minutes according to ATC transcripts. After landing, 5 gallons of fuel were added to each of the two fuel tanks. The flight departed for the second leg and the pilot initially stated that she didn't reposition the fuel selector before landing. She later stated that she positioned the fuel selector to the opposite tank before landing. She performed one touch-and-go landing then departed for the return leg. During cruise flight at 2,500 feet with the fuel/air mixture leaned, the pilot stated that the engine experienced a sudden nearly total loss of engine power. She applied full throttle and pushed the mixture full rich and the engine power was restored for about 1 minute then quit again. She stated that she did not move the fuel selector or the ignition switch after the engine failure but verified that the ignition switch was in the "both" position. According to a sheriff's deputy who responded to the accident site, the airplane landed on a road and each wing of the airplane contacted a road sign. The airplane then became airborne, collided with an unmarked transmission line, and crashed into a canal. The pilot further stated that she doesn't recall the fuel selector position at takeoff from Melbourne.

The left wing of the airplane was submerged but the right wing of the airplane was not. The airplane was pulled from the canal and the fuel tanks were drained through each sump drain. The left tank was found to contain all water and no fuel. The right fuel tank was found to contain 12 gallons of fuel; no water was found. Both fuel tanks were found to be impact damaged. The fuel tank vent system for each tank was determined to be free of obstructions.

About 1/2 hour after the accident a volunteer fireman arrived at the accident site and turned off the fuel selector and ignition switch. He stated that he does not recall their positions before doing so.

The engine was placed on a test stand, started, and found to operate normally.

Fuel consumption calculations revealed that total fuel consumption from engine start of the first leg to the time of the accident was about 35 gallons. This includes 1.2 gallons of fuel for engine start, taxi, and takeoff as noted in the endurance performance chart for the airplane. The calculations also include fuel to climb and descend for the first two legs, fuel to climb on the last leg, and fuel consumed during the cruise flight portions of each leg. Based on the student pilot's initial statement that she moved the fuel selector during the first leg, but didn't move it during the second leg and doesn't recall moving it during the third leg, the usable fuel in the left tank at the time of the accident was calculated to be about 1/2 gallon. The right tank was calculated to be nearly full at the time of the accident.