ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 356209
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: | Tuesday 25 February 1997 |
| Time: | 17:25 LT |
| Type: |  HOAC DV-20 Katana |
| Owner/operator: | Patterson Aviation |
| Registration: | N194DV |
| MSN: | 20094 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 916 hours |
| Engine model: | Rotax 912 A3 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Galt, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Sacramento, CA (SAC |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The airplane was manufactured in Austria, and had a United States normal airworthiness certificate. The pilot said the aircraft was in the takeoff initial climb when he smelled the strong odor of fuel. The fuel pressure decreased, and the engine quit. The pilot attempted to land in a field, but noticed a large number of cattle in the way. He then landed the aircraft early in soft soil, where the nose gear collapsed. An examination revealed that a fuel line quick disconnect fitting had come loose in the line between the fuel selector and the fuel pump. The fitting allowed access to a fuel filter, which required inspection during each 100-hour/annual inspection. According to the aircraft maintenance records, the line was last removed and reinstalled about 20 hours before the accident. An examining FAA inspector reported that the quick disconnect fitting was safety-wired in accordance with the maintenance instructions. The inspector further stated that even with the safety wire in place 'I was able to insert, lock, unlock and remove the coupler from the pump.' No fuel stains were noted in the area of the fuel pump.
Probable Cause: a disconnect of a fuel line fitting, due to the manufacturer's inadequate design and/or lack of adequate installation procedure for replacement of the fuel filter; which resulted in fuel starvation, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Soft terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX97LA114
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Mar-2024 20:11 | 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