OCEAN CITY, MD, USA
N7521F
CHAMPION 7GCBC
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS FLYING OVER WATER ALONG THE BEACHFRONT AT 200 FT MSL, WITH THE ENGINE SET AT 2250 RPM. HE HEARD A FAINT SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AND SENSED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS SEPARATING. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO CLIMB. THE ENGINE ONLY DEVELOPED 2200 RPM AT FULL THROTTLE. HE DROPPED THE BANNER AND SOON AFTERWARD THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PLT STATED THAT A BURNING SMELL FILLED THE CABIN; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT SEE ANY SMOKE. HE DITCHED THE ACFT AND USED A LIFE PRESERVER TO FLOAT ASHORE. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED MATERIAL FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AT THE NUMBERS THREE AND FOUR CYLINDER EXHAUST STACK JOINT, WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE MUFFLER. ALSO NOTED WAS SOOT AND SMOKE DISCOLORATION INSIDE THE CARBURETOR INLET CHAMBER.
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM EXHAUST GAS LEAKAGE INTO THE CARBURETOR INLET, CAUSING ENGINE AIR STARVATION, AND MATERIAL FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. .
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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