Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-30 near Bragg City, MO — 2012-07-29

Final reportCEN12LA512
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Date
2012-07-29
Location
Bragg City, MO, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-30
Registration
N8121Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly tighten the b-nut from the engine-driven fuel pump to the fuel-metering unit during maintenance, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot said that the airplane's right engine stopped producing power in flight and that he was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot made a forced landing to a field with the landing gear up, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the right engine revealed that the b-nut from the engine-driven fuel pump to the fuel-metering unit was loose and leaking fuel. The pilot, who owned and maintained the airplane, had completed an annual inspection of the airplane about 10 flight hours before the accident occurred. He had also recently overhauled the airplane's entire fuel system. No other mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation were noted.

Analysis

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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