Right Fuel Selector Found Between Tanks

The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report into a September 21 accident involving a Beechcraft 18 cargo plane in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

As ANN reported, pilot Robert Robertson had just departed Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) for a transport flight to the Bahamas when the aircraft's engines lost power, and he was unable to maintain altitude.

The aircraft clipped a Florida Department of Transportation storage building, before coming down on the southbound lanes of I-95, north of the Commercial Boulevard exit. The aircraft came to rest on its side, on a grass embankment... but did not strike any other buildings, or any cars on the busy highway.

Robertson survived the accident, though he suffered several broken bones.

The NTSB states no evidence of malfunction was found in the aircraft's fuel system, although the Board did note the right fuel selector was found positioned between the Right Main detent, and the Auxiliary Tank detent.

Fuel was present in the fuel lines leading from the right main wing tank, and from the auxiliary tank, to the valve... but "no fuel was found in the outlet port or the fuel line, which led from the valve to the engine," the report states.

Witnesses told investigators the plane's tail was "wagging" from side to side shortly before the aircraft experienced loss of control... possibly indicating an asymmetric-thrust situation. The aircraft rolled to the right before impact.

FMI: Read The NTSB Preliminary Report