Grumman HU-16C N70258

Summary

On 25 September 2003 at about 15:26 local time, a Grumman HU-16C registered N70258 was involved in an accident near Fort Pierce, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 September 2003 at 15:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Pierce, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

St Lucie County Intl (FPR)

Coordinates

27.4950, -80.3681

Aircraft

Grumman HU-16C

Registration

N70258

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Pierce → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL03FA147

2 people died.

A loss of engine power due to the pilot placing the fuel selector in the off position which resulted in fuel starvation to the left engine, after the pilot intentionally shut down the right engine.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, during climb-out from runway 09 at an altitude of approximately 500 feet the right engine warning red magnetic chip detector light illuminated. The pilot decided to shut down the right engine and return to the airport. Shortly after making that decision the left engine began to lose power. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, and the pilot prepared to make an off-airport emergency landing in a field. The airplane collided with the trees as the pilot maneuvered for the emergency landing. Examination of the airframe, and flight controls revealed no anomalies. Examination of the left and right engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. Examination of cockpit fuel selector controls revealed that the left engine fuel selector handle was in the off position and the right engine fuel selector handle was set in the left tank position. During the in-flight engine secure procedures the pilot is required to place the inoperative engine fuel selector in the off position

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.