# NTSB NYC96LA173: Lake LA-250, N8405F, Hamilton Twp, NJ, August 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1996, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Hamilton Twp, NJ - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39234 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39234/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA173 ## Probable cause A complete loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance that contributed to a loose fuel line fitting, a fuel leak and subsequent fuel starvation. The uneven terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, descent - normal - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause) - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - fluid,fuel - leak (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The airplane was at 2,000 feet when a complete loss of engine power occurred. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success, and performed a forced landing to a farm road where the landing gear collapsed. About 30 gallons of fuel remained in the airplane's fuel tanks. Examination of the wreckage revealed that there was no external damage to the engine. When the battery was activated, and the electric fuel pump was turned on, fuel leaked from the main fuel line connection at the fuel injection manifold. Examination of the fuel line revealed that the fuel line nut was loose. When the nut was turned by finger pressure, it turned two flats (about 1/3 turn) before any resistance was noted. After the fuel line nut was tightened, an engine start and run-up was successfully completed. During the last annual inspection, in March 1996, two engine cylinders were replaced. Also, the fuel injectors were cleaned, and a fuel injector line Airworthiness Directive was complied with. The airplane had been flown about 37 hours since the annual inspection. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1996, at 1800 eastern daylight time, a Lake LA-250, N8405F, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The certificated airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated at Montgomery, New York, about 1720. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the pilot's statement, he said that the airplane was at approximately 2,000 feet when a complete loss of engine power occurred. He further stated that he attempted to restart the engine without success. He then performed a forced landing to a farm road where the landing gear collapsed. About 30 gallons of fuel remained in the airplane's fuel tanks. Examination of the airplane by the NTSB Investigator revealed that there was no external damage to the engine. When the battery was activated, and the electric fuel pump was turned on, fuel leaked from the main fuel line connection at the fuel injection manifold. Examination of the fuel line revealed that the line nut was loose. When the nut was turned by finger pressure, it turned two flats (about 1/3 turn) before any resistance was noted. After the line nut was tightened, an engine start and run-up was successfully completed. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that during the last annual inspection, in March 1996, two engine cylinders were replaced. Also, the fuel injectors were cleaned, and a fuel injector line Airworthiness Directive was complied with. The airplane had been flown about 37 hours since the annual inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8405F (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Lake LA-250 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 56 - Airframe hours: 971 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Manhattan Management Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1996, 37 hours before - Departed: MGJ, MONTGOMERY, NY - Destination: 7MY, MOUNT HOLLY, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,940 total, 155 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 19960825024049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960825024049A), Aug 25, 1996: Conaer LA4250, Hamilton, NJ, Substantial damage. Lost power. Gear collapsed landing on road. Fuel line nut at fuel injecter leaking. Finger tight only. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.