Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G 164B near Lyons Point, LA — 2016-05-11

Final reportCEN16LA180
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Date
2016-05-11
Location
Lyons Point, LA, USA
Airport
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Aircraft
GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G 164B
Registration
N8362K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to debris contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed for the seventh of fifteen planned aerial application flights that day; the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a rice field. A fuel sample drained from the airplane following the accident was cloudy and contained floating debris. Postaccident examination of the fuel system revealed a significant amount of debris, including grass, leaves, insects, and dirt, in the fuel control filter and airframe filter bowl. Further examination of the fuel filter assembly revealed that the inlet and outlet holes of the filter housing, as well as the filter inlet hose, contained debris of sufficient quantity to result in a disruption of fuel flow to the engine. Whether the pilot conducted a preflight inspection could not be determined; however, a fuel sample taken prior to the flight would likely have displayed contamination.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel system for debris before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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