LAX03LA179

The commercial pilot reported a partial loss of engine power during takeoff. He was unable to restore full power, and made an emergency off-airport landing, which resulted in structural damage to the airplane. An FAA inspector and an aviation mechanic examined the engine and noted that the gasket between the air filter and carburetor was missing. A portion of gasket-like material was subsequently discovered in the carburetor's intake venturi. The FAA inspector noted that the material in the venturi would have impeded air flow and resulted in the engine running too rich.

On May 23, 2003, about 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 182E, N9389X, made a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from Coulter Field Airport, Bryan, Texas. Skydive Aggieland, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor and four passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local skydiving flight originated at Bryan, minutes before the accident. The wreckage was at 30 degrees 43 minutes north latitude and 96 degrees 20 minutes west longitude.

During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff on runway 32. He stated that he took off with his normal 20-degrees of flaps. About 200 to 300 feet above ground level the engine began to sputter and sounded like it was running out of fuel. He immediately checked the fuel selector and confirmed it was on the "both" position. With partial power, the airplane continued to descend about 200 foot per minute, and he completed the emergency checklist procedures as time permitted. He did not see smoke. After the accident he drained the fuel sumps, and found no abnormalities.

During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC, the owner of Skydive Aggieland, reported that he witnessed the accident. When the airplane was about 200 feet above ground level, he saw dark smoke trailing from the cowling. The airplane descended, and landed about a half of a mile to the northeast of the airport. He stated that after the accident, a mechanic looked at the airplane. He found a black substance in the carburetor venturi, which he believed to be part of a gasket. He noted that the airplane had been recently purchased, with the last annual done about 4 months prior to the accident.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintenance inspector examined the airplane after the mechanic. He noted that a gasket that is supposed to be between the air filter and the air duct was missing. He found a black substance in the carburetor venturi and thought it could possibly be part of the missing gasket. He thought that the gasket could have been installed wrong because the remains in the venturi looked like pieces of a folded gasket. He added that the gasket could have been positioned wrong when the air filter was put in, resulting in it breaking up and being sucked through the air intake valve. The spark plugs were dark in color, in indication that the engine was running rich.