ATL89LA060

Factual narrative

DURING PREFLT INSPECTION FUEL WAS NOTED TO BE UP TO THE SLOTS IN THE TAB FOR THE REDUCED FUEL INDICATORS, OR 20 GAL EACH TANK. A 3 HOUR, DARK NIGHT, CROSS COUNTRY WAS FLOWN TO DESTINATION. PIC SAID ACFT ARRIVED WITH ABOUT 5 GAL FUEL REMAINING IN EACH TANK. ON FINAL APPROACH THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH AND A GO AROUND WAS INITIATED. AFTER APPLYING FULL POWER AND RAISING THE FLAPS THE ENGINE QUIT SUDDENLY AT ABOUT 650 FEET ABOVE GROUND. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO TREES. THE FLT MANUAL CAUTIONS AGAINST MAKING A TAKEOFF WITH THE FUEL GAGES INDICATING IN THE YELLOW BAND WHICH IS FROM E TO 1/3. A GO AROUND ON FINAL INVOLVES A NOSE UP ATTITUDE SIMILAR TO THAT EXPERIENCED ON TAKEOFF. EVIDENCE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK & THE CARBURETOR. LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY AND RUPTURED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL. THE SELECTOR WAS ON THE LEFT TANK. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12