Piper PA-38-112 N4334E

Summary

On 14 August 2002 at about 18:30 local time, a Piper PA-38-112 registered N4334E was involved in an accident near Darrington, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 August 2002 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Darrington, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.2514, -121.6094

Aircraft

Piper PA-38-112

Registration

N4334E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Darrington → Bellingham

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02LA155

2 people had minor injuries.

Loss of engine power during takeoff due to an undersized gascolator gasket resulting in a loss of fuel flow to the engine. A ditch was a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

In a written statement the private pilot reported that shortly after takeoff from the airport the airplane's engine lost power. He reported that the engine regained power, but again quit. This continued 15-17 times and the pilot elected to make an off-airport landing to a nearby field. He reported that during the landing rollout the airplane collided with a fence and drainage ditch resulting in substantial damage. Post accident examination of the aircraft by maintenance personnel from Aviation Inspection and Repair, Inc, disclosed that the gascolator gasket found on the accident airplane was the incorrect size. The gasket measured 1-3/8 inches (inside diameter) by 1-15/16 inches (outside diameter). According to Piper Aircraft, the airplane manufacture, the gascolator gasket (part number 462-049) measures 1-7/8 by 2-3/16 inches respectively. Maintenance personnel reported that the undersized gasket allowed the passage of air into the closed fuel system resulting in irregular fuel pressure to the engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.