CEN13LA109

Factual narrative

On December 18, 2012, about 1449 central daylight time a Beechcraft A23 Musketeer, N3573R, performed a forced-landing after a loss of engine power. The solo student pilot received no injuries. The aircraft received substantial damage to the left wing spar. The aircraft was registered to, and operated by an individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Central Nebraska Regional Airport (KGRI) at 1345. While the student pilot was on downwind of his third traffic pattern, during his prelanding checks, the pilot noted that his selected right fuel tank was empty. The pilot then selected the left fuel tank, which indicated 3/8 of a tank of fuel remaining. Approximately four minutes later the airplane lost power and the pilot landed into a field on airport property. The student pilot further stated that immediately after the forced landing, he started the airplane on the ground where the forced landing occurred and taxied back to the ramp with the left tank still selected. A mechanic inspected the engine fuel injection system and found no blockage or contamination in the distribution manifold or the fuel injector nozzles. Lastly, the mechanic drained the remaining fuel from both fuel tanks: The right fuel tank had 1.5 quarts of fuel remaining. The left fuel tank had 19.75 gallons of fuel remaining. The student pilot reported that he completed two full-stop landings without incident. He stated that, during the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern for the third landing, the turn was “rushed” due to the traffic. While on the downwind leg, the tower controller advised the student of traffic, and the leg was extended. The student stated that, during his prelanding instrument check, he noted that the selected right fuel tank was empty and that he then selected the left fuel tank, which indicated that 3/8 of a tank of fuel was remaining. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power, and the student pilot landed it to a field on airport property. The student pilot stated that, immediately after the forced landing, he started the airplane and taxied back to the ramp with the left fuel tank still selected. A mechanic inspected the engine fuel injection system and found no blockage or contamination in the distribution manifold or the fuel injector nozzles. He also drained the remaining fuel from both fuel tanks and found that the right fuel tank had 1.5 quarts of fuel remaining and that the left fuel tank had 19.75 gallons of fuel remaining. Therefore, it is likely that the student pilot was distracted by airport traffic and did not switch from the empty fuel tank to the fuel tank with fuel remaining in a timely manner, thus starving the engine of fuel. Given the proximity to the ground, the student pilot did not have time to attempt to restart the engine. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Fuel system-Fuel selector/shutoff valve-Not used/operated - C
• — Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Training-Recent instruct/training recvd-Student pilot
• C Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Fluid level - C
• F Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Student pilot - F
• F Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring other aircraft-Student pilot - F