Piper PA-28RT-201 N2878V

Summary

On 9 September 2012 at about 20:00 local time, a Piper PA-28RT-201 registered N2878V was involved in an accident near Gilmer, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 September 2012 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gilmer, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.6978, -94.9486

Aircraft

Piper PA-28RT-201

Registration

N2878V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gilmer → Gilmer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA623

Nobody was injured.

The partial loss of engine power due to the loss of cylinder compression. The loss of cylinder compression was the result of the No. 3 piston ring failure due to excessive heat because of the lean fuel mixture from a partially clogged fuel nozzle.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that while he was performing flight maneuvers in preparation for a checkride, the engine backfired and lost partial power. He attempted unsuccessfully to regain engine power. Because he could not maintain altitude and the local terrain was tree-covered, the student pilot chose to ditch the airplane in a nearby lake. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 3 cylinder lost compression due to the seizure of the No. 3 cylinder piston rings. The No. 3 cylinder fuel nozzle was found partially clogged, which likely resulted in a lean fuel mixture and excessive heat in the cylinder and the subsequent piston ring failure. The reason for the clogged fuel nozzle could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.