Event LAX04LA308

Factual narrative

On August 30, 2004, about 1735 Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell International 112TCA, N44MH, experienced a total loss of engine power during initial climb from a private airstrip about 3 miles north of San Rafael, California. The pilot made a forced landing in a marshy area of the Mcinnis Park. The airplane nosed over upon touchdown and was substantially damaged. The private pilot, who owned and operated the airplane, sustained minor shoulder harness-related restraint type injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from San Rafael about 1734. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had just refueled his airplane at the San Rafael private airstrip, his home base. Thereafter, he performed a normal preflight inspection and checked the engine's magnetos. No discrepancies were noted. Full engine power was applied during the takeoff roll, with the fuel selector positioned to the "Both" tanks position. Upon climbing between 100 and 200 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot stated that, to the best of his recollection, the power loss was not preceded by any unusual sound. The pilot made a forced landing 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 airplane was recovered from the accident site and was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector. The FAA inspector reported finding no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction. He indicated that only about 1 teaspoon of fuel was drained out of the gascolator. The engine's electric fuel pump switch was observed in the "OFF" position. The FAA inspector additionally reported that the pump was required to be "ON" during takeoff. The FAA inspector opined that during the initial climb, the engine driven fuel pump had not pumped sufficient fuel to the engine to maintain power. This resulted in fuel starvation. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12