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January 12, 2013 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N3898T

Winder, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 12, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Winder, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N3898T
Operator
Flight School of Gwinnett
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA13LA110

While in the airport traffic pattern, the airplane’s engine lost all power. Subsequently, the flight instructor attempted to glide to a runway. The airplane touched down on the runway but was not aligned and traveled off the right side into a bog. Following the accident, the engine was started, but it only ran for about 10 seconds and then lost all power again. Further examination revealed that, when the engine ran briefly, fuel leaked from the inlet side of the engine-driven fuel pump due to a cracked fuel pump line fitting O-ring seal. The airplane's most recent annual inspection had been completed about 2 months before the accident. At that time, the engine had accumulated about 1,578 hours since its last overhaul about 16 years before the accident, which exceeded the engine manufacturer’s recommended time interval for overhaul of every 2,000 hours or 12 years, whichever came first. The airplane had been operated for about 15 hours since its most recent annual inspection; however, a cracked O-ring seal might not be detected during an annual inspection if the engine was not leaking fuel at that time.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to a cracked fuel pump line fitting O-ring seal at the inlet to the engine driven fuel pump. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the aircraft operator to comply with the engine manufacturer’s recommended time interval for overhaul.

Full Narrative

On January 12, 2013, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N3898T, operated by Flight School of Gwinnett Inc., was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a bog, following a total loss of engine power during approach to Barrow County Airport (WDR), Winder, Georgia. The flight instructor, private pilot and a passenger were not injured. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Gwinnett County Airport (LZU), Lawrenceville, Georgia, about 1430. The flight instructor stated that the airplane was in the airport traffic pattern at WDR, on a left downwind leg for landing on runway 23. Per the Before Landing checklist, the private pilot turned the fuel pump on and positioned the fuel selector to the fullest tank (right). The engine then ran rough and lost all power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and verified that the fuel pump was on, the mixture was rich, and the landing gear was down. He then attempted to glide to runway 31; however, there was not enough time to align the airplane with the runway and it traveled off the right side, into a bog. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The inspector noted adequate fuel in both fuel tanks. The engine was then started with the fuel selector positioned to the right fuel tank; however, it ran for about 10 seconds and lost all power again. After the wreckage was recovered from the bog, the inspector completed a further examination and noted that when the engine ran briefly, fuel leaked from the inlet side of the engine driven fuel pump. Examination of the pump revealed that the fuel pump line fitting O-ring seal was cracked. The airplane was manufactured in 1967 and equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-B1E, 180-horsepower engine. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on November 7, 2012. At that time, the engine had accumulated approximately 1,578 hours since its last overhaul, which was completed in 1997. The airplane had been operated for about 15 hours since its most recent annual inspection. The FAA inspector added that the cracked O-ring seal might not be detected during an annual inspection, unless it was leaking fuel at that time; however, the engine manufacturer recommended an overhaul of the engine every 2,000 hours or 12 years, whichever came first.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EST
Nearest AirportBarrow County (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN3898T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlight School of Gwinnett
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 34 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data