Amateur-built BUSHBY MUSTANG II N54WS accident near Woodstock, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

While at an altitude of 2,200 feet above ground level, the engine began to lose partial power. The pilot attempted to regain engine power by switching the fuel selector to the auxiliary or header tank; however, the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted vegetation and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed that the right wing fuel tank was empty and left wing fuel tank contained some fuel. The auxiliary or header fuel tank was full of fuel. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was functionally tested on the airframe. During the functional test, the engine started and operated without any anomalies noted. It is likely that the pilot was feeding fuel to the engine from a wing tank and did not switch to the auxiliary tank in time before the engine lost power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA536 for the full record.