Nanchang 18A N46YK
2 August 1995 · Superior Twnshp, Michigan, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 2 August 1995 at about 15:30 local time, a Nanchang 18A registered N46YK was involved in an accident near Superior Twnshp, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Superior Twnshp, Michigan, United States
- Coordinates
- 42.3704, -83.4603
- Aircraft
- Nanchang 18A
- Registration
- N46YK
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Plymouth → Batavia
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI95LA257
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
the pilot's operation of the airplane with a known deficiency in the fuel selector, and his improper positioning of the fuel selector. A factor relating to the accident was: the fuel selector's restriction of movement.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REMAINED AT A LOW ALTITUDE TO MANEUVER AROUND CLASS B AIRSPACE. ABOUT TEN MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, 'THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO' AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE 'GEAR CAUGHT IN MUD,' COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, ON SEVERAL PREVIOUS FLIGHTS, FUEL SELECTOR WAS HARD TO MOVE.' EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WHEN TESTED, HOWEVER, THE VALVE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE FROM THE PILOT'S SEAT. IT WAS POSITIONED NEAR THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE SEAT, AND ACCORDING TO A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR, WAS 'DIFFICULT TO MANIPULATE, AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHICH TANK WAS SELECTED OR IF THE VALVE WAS IN THE PROPER POSITION.'
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Feb 1995 | Cessna 172 | Holland, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1995 | Cessna 150A | Grant, Michigan, United States | Harry Sutliffe | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1995 | Cessna 152 | Owosso, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Mar 1995 | Cessna 150 | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Mar 1995 | Piper PA-28-181 | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Mar 1995 | Cessna 172 | Alma, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |