Millersburg, OH, USA
C-FLPB
Piper PA-32-300
The pilot flew to his destination airport and had the airplane completely refueled for the return flight; however, prior to his departure, he elected to drive home because of weather. The airplane was parked outside for approximately 10 days until the pilot returned. Prior to his departure for the return flight, the pilot preflighted the airplane to include draining all four fuel tank sumps, and did not identify any contaminates in the fuel. He then started the engine, completed the runup checks, and departed. After approximately 20 to 25 minutes, and while level at 7,500 feet msl, the engine lost all power. The pilot changed tanks, and selected each magneto independently, but was unsuccessful at restarting the engine. The pilot then attempted to perform a forced landing to an airport, but struck trees short of the runway. A post-accident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical deficiencies; however, an examination of the airframe revealed that all four fuel caps seals had varying degrees of deterioration, and the left main fuel cap was loose. Examination of the fuel system revealed 1/4 cup of water in the main fuel strainer, and only a trace of fuel between the strainer and the individual cylinders.
On March 14, 2005, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, C-FLPB, was substantially damaged, while executing a forced landing to runway 27 at the Holmes County Airport (10G), Millersburg, Ohio. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Port Columbus International Airport (CMH), Columbus, Ohio, destined for the Gatineau Airport (CYND), Ottawa, Canada. A visual flight rules flight plan had been filed, but not activated, for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he flew from Ottawa to Columbus on March 4, 2005, and had the airplane completely refueled for the return flight; however, prior to departure he elected to drive back to Ottawa because of weather. The airplane was parked outside until the pilot returned (via commercial air) on March 14, 2005, to bring it back to Ottawa. The pilot preflighted the airplane to include draining all four fuel tank sumps. During the preflight, he did not identify any anomalies with the airplane or contaminates in the fuel. The pilot boarded, started the engine, completed the runup checks, and departed. After approximately 20 to 25 minutes, and while level at 7,500 feet msl, the engine lost all power. The pilot changed tanks, and selected each magneto independently, but was unsuccessful at restarting the engine. During the descent, the pilot observed Holmes County Airport, and attempted a forced landing to runway 27. During the landing, the airplane impacted trees approximately 100 feet short of the runway, and then impacted the ground. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, examination of the airplane revealed that all four fuel-cap seals displayed signs of deterioration, and the left main cap was loose. The fuel selector and electric boost pump were tested, and no anomalies were identified. Approximately 1/4 cup of water was observed in the main fuel strainer, and only a trace of fuel was identified between the strainer and the individual cylinders. A rotational force was applied to the engine crankshaft, and compression and spark was observed on all six cylinders.
The pilot's inadequate preflight which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A factor in the accident was the deteriorated fuel cap seals.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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