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NTSB Report

May 6, 2016 · Antonov AN2 · N2AN

San Bernardino, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Bernardino, CA
Aircraft
Antonov AN2 (1984)
Tail Number
N2AN
Operator
American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR16LA101

The commercial pilot was entering the airport traffic pattern for landing during a familiarization flight. He reported that he turned on the carburetor heat, switched the fuel tank selector to the right fuel tank, and shortly thereafter, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted numerous times to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. After realizing that he would not be able to reach the runway, he decided to make a forced landing to a small field. During the landing approach, the airplane contacted a power line, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. During the postaccident examination of the airplane, about 16 ounces of water were removed from the fuel system. Water was present in the lower gascolator, the fine fuel filter (upper gascolator), and subsequent fuel line to the carburetor inlet. A brass screen at the carburetor inlet and 2 carburetor fuel bowl thumb screens also contained corrosion, water, and rust. The approved aircraft inspection checklist called for washing the carburetor and main fuel filter every 50 hours and cleaning and/or replacing the fine fuel filter every 100 hours. The fine fuel filter is not easily accessible and not able to be drained during a preflight inspection. The mechanic who completed the most recent inspection stated that he did not drain or check the fine fuel filter. The last logbook entry that specifically stated the fuel filters were cleaned was about 4 years before the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The mechanic’s failure to inspect the fine fuel filter gascolator as required during the most recent inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.

Full Narrative

On May 06, 2016, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, an ANTONOV AN2 airplane, N2AN, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, following a reported loss of engine power during approach to the San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino, California. The airplane was owned by the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, and was being operated by the pilot as a familiarization flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot and sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. The airplane departed the Cable Airport, Upland, California, about 1145. In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that the flight was a familiarization flight for a new member of their chapter of the Commemorative Air Force. The flight departed the Cable airport and flew east along the mountains, headed to San Bernardino. They contacted the San Bernardino tower and were instructed to enter the crosswind for runway 24. As part of the before landing checklist, the pilot turned on the carburetor heat and switched the fuel tank selector to the right fuel tank. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power. The pilot attempted numerous times to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. The pilot realized that he would not be able to reach the airport, and decided to make a forced landing to a small field in a residential area. During the landing approach, the airplane contacted a power line. After touching down in the field the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. During the NTSB examination of the airplane, about 16 ounces of water was removed from the fuel system. Water was present in the lower gascolator, the fine fuel filter (upper gascolator), and subsequent fuel line to the carburetor inlet. A brass screen at the carburetor inlet and 2 carburetor fuel bowl thumb screens also contained corrosion, water and rust. (See Photo 1.) Photo 1 - Fuel and contamination removed from fuel lines and gascolator The approved aircraft inspection checklist called for washing the carburetor and main fuel filter every 50 hours and cleaning and/or replacing the fine fuel filter every 100 hours. The fine fuel filter located halfway up the firewall on the left side of the aircraft is not easily accessible and not in a position to be drained prior to flight. The mechanic that completed the most recent inspection stated that he did not drain or check the fine fuel filter. The last logbook entry that specifically stated the fuel filters were cleaned was in September 2012.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAntonov AN2
Tail NumberN2AN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmerican Airpower Heritage Flying Museum
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPzl · ASH 62 IR · Reciprocating · 1000

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 77 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 44 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 48
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time17:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data