Travelair 95
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 260; Flight Crew Type 1
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
The incident happened while tracking the ILS inbound to 20 center at BNA. This being my first flight in this aircraft; as well as my first flight in a multi engine aircraft; I was still adjusting to the aircraft while I also attempted to run through the pre-landing check list. One of the items on this list is to switch the fuel lines from auxiliary to mains; and in doing so I unknowingly switched the fuel line to the left engine into the off position instead of the main position. The engine began to fail; and at this time; unbeknownst to us; the comm button on the copilot side got stuck. We declared the engine out but failed to receive any transmissions back from tower for several minutes. After troubleshooting the issue; we uncovered my mistake and successfully restarted the engine and continued the approach. It wasn't until we were clear of the active runway that we were able to resolve the comms issue.
I was conducting flight training with a student and I was occupying the co-pilots seat. Using the 'before landing checklist' I asked the student to switch the fuel selector from the AUX position to the main position for landing. The student inadvertently switched the fuel selector to the OFF position on the left engine without my knowledge. Consequently the left engine started to fail. I took control of the aircraft. Feathered the propeller; and transmitted to Approach Control that I had an emergency; and engine failure and was landing visually on runway 20L. I had no response from Approach Control at this time. I then proceeded to troubleshoot the cause and discovered that the left engine fuel selector switch had been placed in the 'OFF' position by the student. I immediately placed the switch to the 'main tank' position and re-started the engine.I then transmitted to Approach Control that the emergency situation had been resolved and that I was landing visually on Runway 20L. No response was received from Approach Control. I then attempted to contact the tower but no response. I then went back to Approach Control and asked the controller if I had been cleared to land; she informed me of a stuck mike and to contact tower. I again attempted to contact the tower but to no avail. I received a green light from the tower to land. I landed and cleared the runway and in a few moments was able to use the radio and communicated with Ground Control. In retrospect; I should have confirmed that the fuel selector switch had been placed in the proper position. The student prior to flight had thoroughly been taught the fuel system.
A BE95 Student and Instructor Pilot reported that the left engine failed due to fuel starvation because the student had mistakenly placed the fuel selector switch to 'OFF' instead of 'MAIN TANK' during the Before Landing Checklist. The instructor discovered and corrected the problem and subsequently restarted the engine.