Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary BFO93LA055

MONTICELLO, ME, USA

Aircraft #1

N41422

PIPER PA-28-151

Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE FLIGHT WAS CRUISING AT 1300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE STATED THAT BEFORE THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, HE NOTICED THE SMELL OF FUEL. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE USING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT STATED THAT A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD COVERED WITH ABOUT 5 TO 6 FEET OF SNOW. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A STEEP HILL SEPARATING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR AND TWISTING THE LEFT WING. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A DISCONNECTION OF THE LINE FITTING IN THE FUEL LINE LEADING TO THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE.

Probable Cause and Findings

A DISCONNECTION OF THE FUEL LINE, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports