Error Caused Qb Crash

A cockpit fuel lever pushed only three quarters of an inch closer to the “on” position might have saved the life of former Nebraska quarterback Brook Berringer and his passenger, federal aviation officials said.

The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that pilot error and strong wind led to the April 18 plane crash that killed Berringer and Tobey Lake, brother of the player’s girlfriend.

Berringer apparently failed to make sure the engine was getting enough fuel at takeoff.

The plane’s fuel valve was in the “off” position, while the cockpit fuel selector was placed less than an inch from the position needed to open the valve, the report said.

An organizing committee wants to start a college football bowl game in the Pontiac (Mich.) Silverdome, raising the number of bowls sanctioned by the NCAA to 19.

Organizers of the Motor City Bowl hope to match the champion of the Mid-American Conference with an at-large team on Dec. 26 at the 80,368-seat home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions.