Beechcraft 19A N7645R

Summary

On 18 July 2016 at about 14:00 local time, a Beechcraft 19A registered N7645R was involved in an accident near Helena, Montana, 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

18 July 2016 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Helena, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Helena (HLN)

Coordinates

46.6069, -111.9828

Aircraft

Beechcraft 19A

Registration

N7645R

Category

Airplane

Year built

1969

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Helena → Deer Lodge

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR16CA145

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to reposition the fuel selector valve to the on position prior to takeoff resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to properly complete the pre-takeoff checklist.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the initial climb after takeoff, about 500 feet, the engine lost power. He made a left turn to return to the airport, but instead touched down hard next to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. This was the first flight following completion of an annual inspection. During the inspection maintenance personnel had placed the fuel selector valve (FSV) in the off position, and did not return it to the full on position before the flight. The pilot reported that he and the owner usually kept the fuel selector valve in the on position, and that he did not use a checklist or confirm that it was in the full on position before takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.