Plane That Clipped Buses Found Low on Spare Fuel
VAN NUYS — A charter plane that clipped two school buses in an emergency landing near Van Nuys Airport had no fuel left in its main tanks and fewer than six gallons in auxiliary tanks, according to a preliminary report released Tuesday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Further studies will be conducted to determine if the remaining fuel was sufficient to sustain engine power during an angled descent for landing, said Bob Crispin, NTSB air safety investigator.
The pilot reported that first one engine, then the other on the twin piston-powered aircraft quit as he approached a landing June 23 at Van Nuys. In both cases, pilot Michael G. Busch told investigators he switched fuel selectors from the main tanks to auxiliaries but could not restart the engines.
“There were measurable amounts of fuel, one gallon on the left and four to five gallons on the right,†Crispin said. “Whether it was sufficient or not is what we intend to find out.†A final report could take up to a year, NTSB officials said.
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