ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 298931
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Thursday 1 June 2000 |
| Time: | 05:15 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-18-150 |
| Owner/operator: | Department Of Agriculture |
| Registration: | N4872A |
| MSN: | 18-4969 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3950 hours |
| Engine model: | Avco Lycoming O-320- |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | AUSTIN, Nevada -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | AUSTIN, NV (9U3) |
| (9U3) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that he had been monitoring an increase in the fuel burn rate over a period of time. His normal leaning procedure for best power operating from 5,800 feet mean sea level required more mixture control travel. On the day of the accident, it was the second time that the engine had failed to respond to throttle input. The subsequent loss of engine power occurred low to the terrain. Post accident examination of the carburetor revealed a black composite float that felt heavier than normal. One pontoon exhibited light damage to the smooth shell. The engine spark plugs were lightly fuel sooted. According to Precision Airmotive Corporation "mandatory" Service Bulletin MSA-1(replacement of composite floats with metal floats), the type certificate holder of the carburetor, states that; "field reports indicate that composite floats may be absorbing fluid and sinking," replace the existing composite float with a metal float. A sinking float may result in disruption of fuel flow to the engine, Precision Airmotive therefore considers the replacement of composite floats with metal floats mandatory. Compliance is optional for 14 CFR Part 91 operators.
Probable Cause: Loss of engine power caused by a fuel soaked float pontoon causing an over rich fuel/air mixture, in a critical phase of flight.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX00TA212
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 15 August 1974 | N4872A | Gedra Air Serv | 0 | Lugoff, SC | |
sub |
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Oct-2022 00:29 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation