Service difficulty report · Cap · Amtr SKYRAIDER

Difficulty date
August 4, 2007
Submitted
September 5, 2007
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N31711
Make and model
Amtr SKYRAIDER
Aircraft serial
SK1966
Aircraft time
35 hours
Engine
Rotax ROTAX447
Engine time
35 hours
Part
Cap
Condition
Out Of Adjust
Location
Fuel Tank
Part time
35 hours
Stage of operation
DE
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
W, J
Precautionary procedure
A

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

AT CONCLUSION OF 2 HOUR FLIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FROM DESTINATION AIRPORT, PILOT REPORTED AN UNCOMMANDED SIGNIFICANT POWER REDUCTION. A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS EXECUTED ON A COUNTY ROAD. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION FOUND 1.5 GALLON FUEL IN RT TANK, NONE IN LT TANK. EVIDENCE OF FUEL SIPHONING FROM RT FUEL CAP. PILOT STATED WHEN LT FUEL CAP WAS REMOVED, HISSING NOISE WAS HEARD. PROBABLE THAT COMBINATION OF SIPHONING RT TANK/CAP AND NO VENTING OF LT TANK/CAP CAUSED A FUEL IMBALANCE AND INTERRUPTION OF FUEL FLOW TO HEADER TANK/ENGINE, RESULTING REDUCTION OF ENGINE OPERATION. RECOMMEND ANY EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT USING FUEL CAPS WITH THREADED CENTER STEM/(O) RING ASSEMBLY FOR VENTING BE MODIFIED TO INCLUDE A