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NTSB Report

December 15, 2002 · Beech A36 · N12MB

Laurens, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Laurens, SC
Aircraft
Beech A36
Tail Number
N12MB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA03LA028

The pilot stated that he reached an altitude of 7,000 feet and leveled the airplane, when all of a sudden he felt a slight bump, and the engine immediately lost all power. He performed emergency procedures, but the engine did not regain power. While performing emergency procedures, he said he noticed fuel streaming from the area of the cowling, aft toward the windshield, so he committed himself to making a forced landing. The pilot executed a forced landing in an area of low pine trees and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The FAA inspector stated that postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the stainless steel fuel line at the front top side of the engine had separated from the fuel flow transmitter, consistent with the pilot's report of the loss of engine power, and fuel streaming out the top of the cowling. The inspector said that the fitting on the fuel flow transmitter showed signs of fretting, and had been cracked, allowing fuel pressure to cause the hose to back off the o-ringed nipple. In addition, the support standoff that attaches the fuel line to the top alternator mount so as to provide support for the fuel line, was not attached, and had been subject to vibration loads, causing the fitting to separate from the fuel flow transmitter. Maintenance records indicate that the alternator had been replaced by a maintenance facility 26.6 hours prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Improper maintenance and inspection of the airplane by other maintenance personnel, and their failure to install the fuel line support after maintenance had been completed, which resulted in the introduction of vibrational loads and the in-flight separation of the fuel line from the fuel flow transmitter, fuel starvation, the subsequent loss of engine power, an emergency descent/ landing, and damage to the airplane during the off airport landing.

Full Narrative

On December 15, 2002, about 1114 eastern standard time, a Beech A-36, N12MB, registered to a private individual, and operated as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed in Laurens, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Greer, South Carolina, the same day, about 1100. The pilot stated that he had been in contact with FAA Greenville Spartanburg Departure Control, and was cleared to climb to an altitude of 7,000 feet. Upon reaching 7,000 feet, he said he leveled the airplane, when all of a sudden he felt a slight bump, and the engine immediately lost all power. He performed emergency procedures, but the engine did not regain power. While performing emergency procedures, he said he noticed fuel streaming from the area of the cowling, aft toward the windshield, so he committed himself to making a forced landing. The pilot executed a forced landing in an area of low pine trees and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The FAA inspector stated that upon examination of the engine, it was discovered that the stainless steel fuel line at the front top side of the engine had separated from the fuel flow transmitter. The inspector said that the separation was consistent with the pilot's report of the loss of engine power, and fuel streaming out the top of the couling. According to the inspector, the fitting on the fuel flow transmitter showed signs of fretting, and had been cracked, allowing fuel pressure to cause the hose to back off the o-ringed nipple. In addition, the inspector said that the support standoff that attaches the fuel line to the top alternator mount so as to provide support for the fuel line, was not attached, and had been subject to vibration loads, which caused the fitting to separate from the fuel flow transmitter. Maintenance records indicate that the alternator had been replaced by a maintenance facility 26.6 hours prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:14 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN12MB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · 10-550-B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 79 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 28 C
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data