# NTSB NYC92LA149: Piper PA-28R-201, N6384C, Baltimore, MD, August 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1992, 11:24 local (15:24 UTC)
- Place: Baltimore, MD
- Coordinates: 39.169281, -76.669166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1693&lon=-76.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA149

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION FROM A FAULTY RUBBER SEAL IN THE MECHANICAL FUEL PUMP WHILE OPERATING OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.  AN ADDITIONAL CAUSE WAS THE USE OF INADEQUATE STANDARDS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE RUBBER SEAL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,pump - blocked(total) (cause)
  - facility,inadequate manuals/directives, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF 300 FEET AND DITCHED IN THE WATER.  THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A LOOSE RUBBER SEAL IN THE MECHANICAL FUEL PUMP WHICH BLOCKED FUEL FLOW OUT OF THE PUMP. THE ENGINEERING DRAWING FOR THE SEAL LACKED AN ASTM SPECIFICATION WHICH COVERS THE PRODUCTION OF THE RUBBER INCLUDING THE CURING.  THE INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT WHEN SEALS PRODUCED FROM RUBBER WITHOUT THIS ASTM SPECIFICATION WERE EXPOSED TO AVIATION GASOLINE, THEY WOULD SWELL. WITH SUFFICIENT EXPOSURE TO GASOLINE, THE SEAL WILL COME UNSEATED AND FLOAT INTO THE EXHAUST SIDE OF THE PUMP, RESTRICTING FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6384C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6384C-2008-08-18), registration cancelled 2008-08-18, S/N 28R7837164 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7837164
- Airframe hours: 3870
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Warner E. Mc Adam
- Registered owner: Warner E. Mc Adam
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1991, 124 hours before
- Destination: RKD, ROCKLAND, ME
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MTN, Martin State, runway 14, 6,996 × 180 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,369 total, 250 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTN, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920808029889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920808029889A), Aug 8, 1992: Piper PA28R201, Baltimore, MD, Substantial damage. Power loss on takeoff at 300 ft. ditched in harbor. Loose rubber seal in fuel pump blocked flow. Bogus non astm sea

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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