SEA02LA103

The pilot reported that the engine was running good during the run up and takeoff but climb was slow. Without warning, the engine began sputtering and the pilot was able to keep the engine running with the primer for a short time. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field where during the landing roll, the airplane was substantially damaged. Post-accident inspection of the engine found that a non-approved cork type material gasket was used around the gascolator that had disintegrated and plugged the fuel line. After the material was removed, the engine was run under normal operating conditions.

On June 16, 2002, approximately 1300 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-1 airplane, N8849K, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged in a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from runway 02 at Burley Municipal Airport, Burley, Idaho. The forced landing site was in a field in Heyburn, Idaho, approximately 1 mile east of the airport. The pilot, who was the airplane's sole occupant, was not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions were reported at Burley Municipal at 1153 and at 1253, and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 personal flight bound for Salt Lake Municipal Airport #2, West Jordan, Utah.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that "the engine was running good during run up and takeoff but climb was slow, then without warning the engine began sputtering and I was able to keep it running with the primer for a short time[,] long enough to change direction and get to a vacant field." The temperature at Burley Municipal (elevation 4,150 feet) was reported as 30 degrees C at 1253.

According to the FAA aircraft registry, the accident airplane was equipped with a Franklin 6A4150 series engine rated at 150 HP. Preliminary accident notification information indicated that the airplane had an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) authorizing use of automotive gasoline.

Post-accident inspection of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Boise, Idaho, Flight Standards District Office, reported that a non-approved cork type material gasket was used around the gascolator that had disintegrated and plugged the fuel line. After the material was removed, the engine was run under normal operating conditions.