PIPER PA24 near Athens, GA — 2022-12-29
- Date
- 2022-12-29
- Location
- Athens, GA, USA
- Airport
- AHN
- Aircraft
- PIPER PA24
- Registration
- N9026P
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Fatalities
- 0
- Phase of flight
- Climb
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to detect water in the fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
NTSB narrative
The pilot completed a preflight inspection, including sampling the fuel to check for water contamination, then departed with a passenger for a flight after maintenance was completed on the airplane. The pilot reported that a few minutes into the flight, after leveling off at 3,000 ft mean sea level, the engine seemed to power down, as if the power went to idle. The pilot established best glide airspeed and attempted to restore engine power; however, he was unable to restore power, so he declared an emergency and turned back toward the airport. Unable to make the airport, the pilot performed a forced landing into trees, substantially damaging the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed that the electrical fuel pump would not operate. Disassembly of the pump revealed rust at and around the shaft bearing, indicative of water having been in the airplane’s fuel system. Examination of the engine revealed that the left magneto ground strap was not connected to the magneto and its hardware was not located. Also, debris was observed in the fuel servo filter and water was observed in the fuel samples and gascolator bowl. Based on the condition of the fuel and fuel-related components, it is likely that the loss of engine power was due to contamination of the fuel supply with water. It is unlikely that the loss of one magneto due to a disconnected ground strap resulted in a noticeable loss of power since the airplane had a second, functioning magneto.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- Fuel management
- First missed decision gate
- Properly drain fuel sumps to ensure fuel was free of water before flight.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- Photos
- 11 docket documents
Docket documents11
- PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, NTSB FORM 6120.1form
- RELEASE OF AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE, NTSB FORM 6120.15form
- PILOT STATEMENTSinterview
- ENGINE DATA MONITOR - ATTACHMENT 1 (CSV - ACCIDENT FLIGHT)other
- ENGINE DATA MONITOR - ATTACHMENT 2 (CSV - PREVIOUS FLIGHT)other
- ENGINE LOGBOOK EXCERPTSother
- RECORD OF CONVERSATION AIRCRAFT OWNERother
- RECORD OF CONVERSATION MECHANICother
- INVESTIGATIVE PHOTOGRAPHSphotos
- ENGINE DATA MONITOR - SPECIALIST'S FACTUAL REPORTreport
- MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD A�� WRECKAGE EXAMINATIONwreckage
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