Rockwell 112TCA N44MH

Summary

On 31 August 2004 at about 00:35 local time, a Rockwell 112TCA registered N44MH was involved in an accident near San Rafael, California, United States. One person was 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

31 August 2004 at 00:35

Classification

Accident

Location

San Rafael, California, United States

Nearest airport

San Rafael (CA35)

Coordinates

38.0217, -122.5133

Aircraft

Rockwell 112TCA

Registration

N44MH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Rafael → Sonoma

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04LA308

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation, which was caused by the pilot's failure to turn on the electric boost pump and an undetermined failure of the engine driven pump to supply sufficient fuel to the carburetor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During initial climb between 100 and 200 feet above ground level, the airplane's engine lost all power due to fuel starvation. The pilot made a forced landing in a marsh about 1/4-mile beyond the runway's departure end. After the airplane came to rest upside down in the 2- to 4-foot-deep marsh, the pilot extricated himself and waded to the shore. The pilot had refueled his airplane just before takeoff. During takeoff, full engine power was initially developed with the fuel selector positioned to the "Both" tanks position. Following the accident when the airplane was examined, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction was noted. The engine's electric fuel pump switch was observed in the "OFF" position. The pump switch was required to be "ON" during takeoff. During the initial climb, the engine driven fuel pump likely had not pumped sufficient fuel to the engine to maintain power, which resulted in fuel starvation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.