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January 17, 2021 · Piper PA28 181 · N82746

St. Petersburg, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 17, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
St. Petersburg, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA28 181 (1980)
Tail Number
N82746
Operator
St Pete Aviation Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA21LA104

According to the flight instructor, after departing the airport and climbing out over the ocean, she and the pilot-rated student were discussing climbing higher when the engine lost total power. The instructor attempted to restart the engine by turning on the fuel pump, carburetor heat, and switching the fuel selector, without success. She searched for a place to land and performed a forced landing to a beach. During the landing roll, the right wing struck a pole in the sand, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the engine revealed that the B-nut was loose on the engine driven fuel pump between the electric fuel pump. When the electric fuel pump was turned on, fuel leaked out of the line where the B-nut was loose. A mechanic tightened the line, and fuel flowed without issue. There were no other anomalies with the engine during the examination that would have precluded normal operation. Given this information, it is likely that a loss of fuel pressure/flow to the engine occurred as a result of the loose B-nut, which resulted in the total loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power as a result of the loose fuel line B-nut connected to the engine driven fuel pump.

Full Narrative

According to the flight instructor, after departing the airport and climbing out over the ocean, she and the pilot-rated student were discussing climbing higher when the engine lost total power. The instructor attempted to restart the engine by turning on the fuel pump, carburetor heat, and switching the fuel selector, without success. She searched for a place to land and performed a forced landing to a beach. During the landing roll, the right wing struck a pole in the sand, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the engine revealed that the B-nut was loose on the engine driven fuel pump between the electric fuel pump. When the electric fuel pump was turned on, fuel leaked out of the line where the B-nut was loose. A mechanic tightened the line, and fuel flowed without issue. There were no other anomalies with the engine during the examination that would have precluded normal operation. Given this information, it is likely that a loss of fuel pressure/flow to the engine occurred as a result of the loose B-nut, which resulted in the total loss of engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 181
Tail NumberN82746
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSt Pete Aviation Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 49 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 50
Altimeter30.08 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data