ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 241394
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| Date: | Sunday 13 September 2020 |
| Time: | 15:32 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-22-135 Tri-Pacer |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | N8875C |
| MSN: | 22-1486 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1953 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2943 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-290-DZ |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | SW of Homer Airport (HOM/PAHO), Homer, AK -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Homer Airport, AK (HOM/PAHO) |
| Homer, AK | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that, during the airplane's initial climb, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and he performed a forced landing on a nearby beach. During the landing, the left wing struck the surface and the pilot lost control of the airplane, which sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
The pilot stated that the flight was the first since the airplane had an annual inspection performed, which was about 2 months before the accident. He also reported that there were heavy rain showers at the airport during the previous month, and the airplane had issues with water intrusion in the left fuel tank. The fuel tank cap gaskets had recently been replaced. During the preflight inspection, he sumped all the drains and removed about 1/2 inch of water from the left-wing tank drain.
Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed anomalies in the airframe fuel system. Specifically, the examination noted the presence of corroded fuel tank filler necks, a degraded gasket on the right fuel tank filler neck, and a 3-inch circumferential separation of the left fuel filler neck base from the fuel tank. A fuel sample from the engine carburetor bowl contained a mixture of water and fuel. Engine valve train and drive shaft continuity was established, and no anomalies were observed in the engine cylinders, induction system, and ignition system.
Based on the pilot's statements, the corroded condition of the fuel filler necks, the left fuel tank separation, and the presence of water in the carburetor, it is likely that the total loss of engine power was due to fuel contamination from rainwater intrusion into the fuel system. The pilot either did not completely drain water from the fuel tanks during the preflight inspection or was unable to access trapped water in the fuel tanks.
Probable Cause: The total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the corrosion of the fuel tank filler necks, which resulted in water intrusion into the fuel tanks.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB ANC20LA093
FAA register: https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=8875C
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Sep-2020 03:49 | Geno | Added |
| 14-Sep-2020 03:51 | Geno | Updated [Source] |
| 14-Sep-2020 04:00 | Geno | Updated [Total occupants, Narrative] |
| 27-Jun-2022 10:05 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Damage, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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