MIA99LA162

While on final approach at 500 feet, the engine lost all power. Attempts to restart it were unsuccessful, and while attempting a forced landing, the airplane collided with a fence and a guy wire. Postcrash examination of the engine by an FAA inspector showed the carburetor was contaminated with rust, a small amount of water, and dirt. The carburetor fuel shutoff valve seat was corroded, and the shutoff valve seat was not seating, allowing the carburetor bowl to overfill and flood the engine.

On June 5, 1999, about 1150 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N78HR, registered to an individual, made a forced landing in a field following loss of engine power at Jackson, Mississippi, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Amory, Mississippi, the same day, about 1000.

The pilot stated that while at about 500 feet on final approach to land at Jackson International Airport, the engine quit. The engine did not sputter, hesitate, or misfire, before quitting. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. He turned to the left and nosed down toward a clear area. He landed at a high speed and as the aircraft approached a fence at the end of the field, he pulled up in an attempt to fly over the fence. The main landing gear contacted the fence and turned the aircraft into a guy wire. After hitting the guy wire the aircraft crashed to the ground and came to rest.

After the accident, an FAA inspector went to the scene and had the pilot start the engine. The engine started, and after idling for about 30 seconds, the engine was shut down. After the aircraft was recovered from the crash site, another FAA inspector examined the aircraft and engine. The carburetor bowl drain plug was removed and the bowl did not contain any water. The plug was reinstalled and the engine was started. After about 15 seconds of operation, the carburetor began to run fuel out of the inlet. The engine was shut down and the electric boost pump was turned on. The carburetor again ran fuel out of the inlet. The carburetor was disassembled and a large amount of rust, dirt, and a small amount of water was found in the bowl. The shutoff valve seat, metering jet, and mixture control seat were found to be corroded.