# NTSB SEA02LA155: Piper PA-38-112, N4334E, Darrington, WA, August 14, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 2002, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Darrington, WA - Coordinates: 48.251388, -121.609443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2514&lon=-121.6094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55489 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55489/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA155 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power during takeoff due to an undersized gascolator gasket resulting in a loss of fuel flow to the engine. A ditch was a factor. ## Analysis In a written statement the private pilot reported that shortly after takeoff from the airport the airplane's engine lost power. He reported that the engine regained power, but again quit. This continued 15-17 times and the pilot elected to make an off-airport landing to a nearby field. He reported that during the landing rollout the airplane collided with a fence and drainage ditch resulting in substantial damage. Post accident examination of the aircraft by maintenance personnel from Aviation Inspection and Repair, Inc, disclosed that the gascolator gasket found on the accident airplane was the incorrect size. The gasket measured 1-3/8 inches (inside diameter) by 1-15/16 inches (outside diameter). According to Piper Aircraft, the airplane manufacture, the gascolator gasket (part number 462-049) measures 1-7/8 by 2-3/16 inches respectively. Maintenance personnel reported that the undersized gasket allowed the passage of air into the closed fuel system resulting in irregular fuel pressure to the engine. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2002, at 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, N4334E, sustained substantial damage during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power approximately one-half mile west of the Darrington Airport, Darrington, Washington. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement dated October 26, 2002, the pilot reported that shortly after takeoff from the Darrington Airport the airplane's engine "…momentarily lost power." He reported that the engine regained power, but again quit. This continued 15-17 times and the pilot elected to make an off-airport landing to a nearby field. He reported that during the landing rollout the airplane collided with a fence and drainage ditch resulting in substantial damage. In his written statement the pilot reported that the airplane lost power during the previous takeoff attempt. Following the loss of power, and aborted takeoff, the pilot completed a run up and full power check with no noted anomalies or malfunctions. Following the power check, the pilot initiated the second takeoff attempt (accident flight). Post accident examination of the aircraft by maintenance personnel from Aviation Inspection and Repair, Inc, disclosed that the gascolator gasket found on the accident airplane was the incorrect size. The gasket measured 1-3/8 inches (inside diameter) by 1-15/16 inches (outside diameter). According to Piper Aircraft, the airplane manufacture, the gascolator gasket (part number 462-049) measures 1-7/8 by 2-3/16 inches respectively. Maintenance personnel reported that the undersized gasket allowed the passage of air into the closed fuel system resulting in irregular fuel pressure to the engine (report attached). Maintenance records indicated that the aircraft's last inspection, an annual inspection, was completed on June 15, 2002. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - maintenance,installation - incorrect, unknown (cause) - fuel system,gascolator - other (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4334E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4334E-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 38-78A0558, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-78AO558 - Airframe hours: 3375 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James H. Casey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2002, 7 hours before - Departed: 1S2, DARRINGTON, WA - Destination: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 3, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 612 total, 97 in this make and model, 612 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KAWO, 23 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 20020814023229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020814023229A), Aug 14, 2002: Piper PA38112, Darrington, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Loss of power shortly after take-off. Attempted emergency landing in field. Overshot end of field and came to rest in a culvert along WA state route 530. ## Other investigations on N4334E (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA95LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA009), Oct 12, 1994: Piper PA-38-112 (N4334E), Albany, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE DUAL STUDENT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. 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.