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NTSB Report
June 16, 1986 · Pitts S-15 · N73BJ
Raleigh, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 16, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Raleigh, NC
Aircraft
Pitts S-15
Tail Number
N73BJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA173
DURING NORMAL CRUISE VFR FLIGHT AT 1,500 FT AGL, THE PILOT REPORTED HEARING AN ERRATIC HISSING SOUND AND THE ACFT BEGAN LOSING FUEL PRESSURE. THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO A FIELD. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DROPPED INTO A HOLE AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE CONFIRMED THAT AN IMPROPER FITTING HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE PRESSURIZED FUEL SYSTEM. A TEE FITTING HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN PLACE OF AN ELBOW FITTING AND THE END CAP HAD LOOSENED ALLOWING THE LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER.
Full Narrative
DURING NORMAL CRUISE VFR FLIGHT AT 1,500 FT AGL, THE PILOT REPORTED HEARING AN ERRATIC HISSING SOUND AND THE ACFT BEGAN LOSING FUEL PRESSURE. THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO A FIELD. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DROPPED INTO A HOLE AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE CONFIRMED THAT AN IMPROPER FITTING HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE PRESSURIZED FUEL SYSTEM. A TEE FITTING HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN PLACE OF AN ELBOW FITTING AND THE END CAP HAD LOOSENED ALLOWING THE LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:06 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPitts S-15
Tail NumberN73BJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO