Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he switched fuel tanks during cruise flight and subsequently lost engine power and fuel pressure. The pilot attempted to restore fuel pressure by using the wobble pump and switching fuel tanks; however, he was not successful. The airplane was substantially damaged during the resultant forced landing. During the recovery of the airplane, 1.5 gallons of fuel were recovered from the right fuel tank and 12.5 gallons of fuel were recovered from the left fuel tank. An examination of the engine, wobble pump, engine driven fuel pump, and fuel system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot moved the fuel selector to the right fuel tank, which had little fuel, starved the engine of fuel, and was unable to restart the engine before the forced landing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On February 8, 2013, approximately 1245 central standard time, a North American Medore SNJ-4, N2269U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing south of Garden City, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight departed Boerne, Texas, at 1115 and was en route to Midland, Texas. According to the pilot, at 8,500 feet, during cruise flight, he switched fuel tanks and subsequently lost engine power and fuel pressure. The pilot attempted to restore fuel pressure by using the wobble pump and switching fuel tanks; however, he was not successful. During the forced landing the right main landing gear tire exited the road and the airplane continued through a fence and into mesquite brush. The left wing spar was bent. During the recovery of the airplane 1.5 gallons of fuel was recovered from the right fuel tank and 12.5 gallons of fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank. Neither fuel tank exhibited damage or fuel leaks during the recovery. An examination of the engine, wobble pump, engine driven fuel pump, and fuel system revealed no anomalies.