FTW87FA102

Factual narrative

THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND WAS DESCENDING FOR A VFR STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT HAD THE SELECTOR ON THE LEFT TANK WITH 4 TO 5 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THIS TANK. DURING THE DESCENT THE FUEL TANK OUTLET LINE BECAME UNPORTED CAUSING AIR TO BE DRAWN INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK BUT DID NOT REALIZE THE ENGINE WAS NOT OPERATING UNTIL HE ADDED POWER ON FINAL APPROACH. HE COULD NOT RESTART THE ENGINE AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PASTURE ON ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. THE PILOT COULD NOT REMEMBER TURNING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP. DURING IMPACT A SMALL FIRE ERUPTED AND CONSUMED THE COCKPIT, CABIN AREA AND INBOARD HALF OF THE LEFT WING. THE BOOST PUMP SWITCH POSITION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO THE FIRE. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12