DEN01LA128

The pilot and his pilot rated-passenger (who was also the airplane's mechanic) had conducted a test flight of the airplane to check on the operation of a newly installed exhaust gas temperature gauge. The pilot said he made a 45 degree entry to the downwind leg for runway 16. When the airplane was approximately 5000 feet msl (mean sea level), the engine "failed." The pilot turned towards the runway but did not have sufficient altitude to clear a fence on the airport's north boundary. The airplane struck the fence, skidded across a road and a ditch before coming to a halt against another fence. The pilot rated-passenger corroborated what the pilot said, but speculated that the power loss was due to a vapor lock. The engine was later examined and no discrepancies were noted that would have precluded the development of power.

On July 26, 2001, approximately 1400 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N21042, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a fence and impacted terrain following a loss of engine power while on landing approach at Bountiful, Utah. The private pilot-in-command and the private pilot-passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Bountiful at approximately 1330.

The airplane had undergone an annual inspection two days previously and an exhaust gas temperature gauge had been installed. The purpose of the flight was to test its operation. It was determined that the EGT was giving erroneous readings and they decided to return to the airport. According to the pilot's accident report, he made a 45 degree entry to the downwind leg for runway 16. The airplane was at approximately 5000 feet msl (mean sea level) when the engine "failed." He turned towards the runway but did not have sufficient altitude to clear a fence on the airport's north boundary. The airplane struck the fence, skidded across a road and a ditch before coming to a halt against another fence. The pilot rated-passenger, who was also the airplane's mechanic, corroborated what the pilot said and speculated that the power loss was due to a vapor lock.

According to written statements submitted by a passersby, fuel was leaking from the airplane. The fuel selector was in the OFF position and the handle was broken. According to the FAA inspector who went to the scene, the nose landing gear was torn off, and the firewall and forward section of the fuselage were buckled. He noted that the installation of the EGT had not been entered into the maintenance logbook contrary to regulation. The airplane was later taken to Air Salvage in Phoenix, Arizona, where the engine was examined by a representative of the engine manufacturer. No discrepancies were noted that would have precluded the development of power.