LA PORTE, TX, USA
N2820M
PIPER PA-12
THE ENGINE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 1,000 FEET. THE PILOT LANDED ON A NARROW DIRT ROAD ON A LEVEE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE MAIN LANDING GEARS SUNK INTO SOFT MUD AND RUTS, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER COMING TO REST ON ITS BACK. THE PILOT, WHO IS ALSO THE CERTIFICATED MECHANIC THAT HAD RECENTLY REBUILT THE AIRPLANE, STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT, HE FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM AROUND THE GLASS BOWL IN THE GASCOLATOR ASSEMBLY. THE PILOT ADDED THAT HE RESEATED THE GLASS BOWL AND SECURED THE LOCKING SCREW WITH SAFETY WIRE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE GASCOLATOR GLASS BOWL WAS MISSING, RESULTING IN THE FUEL STARVATION OF THE ENGINE.
On December 24, 1994, at 1636 central standard time, a Piper PA-12, N2820M, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near La Porte, Texas. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, while his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, the airplane departed the La Porte Municipal Airport (T41) en route to Baytown, Texas. While in cruise flight at approximately 800 to 1,000 feet above the the ship channel, the engine lost power without warning. The pilot added that he elected to land on a narrow dirt road on a levee approximately 4 miles northeast of the airport. During the landing roll, the main wheels sank into soft mud, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over to the inverted position. The 1946 model airplane had accumulated 54 hours since the airplane was completely rebuilt by the pilot. Prior to the flight, the pilot stated that he found fuel leaking from around the glass bowl in the gascolator/strainer assembly. He further stated that he reseated the glass bowl and secured it with safety wire. The pilot, who is also an FAA certificated airframe/powerplant mechanic with inspection authority, performed a post accident examination of the wreckage at the accident site. Examination of the gascolator assembly, part number 750-268, revealed a fracture at the "T" fitting where the nut is threaded upwards to hold the bowl in place. The glass gascolator was not recovered, but the safety wire remained in place. The pilot suspects that the glass bowl might have also cracked during installation and fallen off during flight resulting in the fuel starvation of the engine.
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AS RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE GLASS BOWL ON THE GASCOLATOR. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE PILOT'S DISPOSAL TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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