Lockheed P-38 N38LL

Summary

On 28 May 1994 at about 21:20 local time, a Lockheed P-38 registered N38LL, operated by ORR, JOE K., was involved in an accident near Breckenridge, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 May 1994 at 21:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Breckenridge, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.7496, -98.9092

Aircraft

Lockheed P-38

Registration

N38LL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

ORR, JOE K.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW94LA184

1 person had minor injuries.

THE FUEL STARVATION INDUCED LOSS OF POWER DUE TO IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE AIRPLANE, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON BOTH ENGINES DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK NUMEROUS TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT ONLY THE LEFT PROPELLER SWITCH WAS IN THE FEATHER POSITION AND THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS IN THE DROP TANK POSITION. DROP TANKS WERE NOT INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOTS FLIGHT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL INDICATES THAT WARM UP, TAKEOFF AND THE FIRST 15 MINUTES OF FLIGHT SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE FUEL SELECTORS IN THE RESERVE POSITION. THE RESERVE TANKS DID NOT HAVE ANY EVIDENCE OF FUEL. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 3 HOURS AND FORTY-ONE MINUTES IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRPLANE PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT, OF WHICH ONE HOUR AND FORTY-ONE MINUTES WERE WITHIN THE LAST 30 DAYS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.