Service difficulty report · Carburetor · Cessna 172

Difficulty date
November 16, 2010
Submitted
December 23, 2010
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N8306B
Make and model
Cessna 172
Aircraft serial
36106
Engine
Cont O300A
Part
Carburetor
Part number
MA3
Condition
Contaminated
Location
Engine
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
R, Y
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

ENGINE LOST POWER CAUSING ACFT TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SOFT FIELD RESULTING IN THE ACFT FLIPPING OVER AND CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. UPON INVESTIGATION THE FAA FOUND MICROBIOLOGICAL GROWTH IN THE CARBURETOR'S FUEL BOWL AT THE DRAIN PLUG AREA CAUSING FUEL BLOCKAGE AT THE FUEL CHANNEL AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER. THIS COULD BE AVOIDED BY REMOVING THE CARBURETOR DRAIN PLUG AT SPECIFIED INTERVALS AND DRAINING THE MOISTURE THAT MAY ACCUMULATE IN THAT AREA. RECOMMENDED INTERVAL: EVERY 100 HOURS OR AT EACH ANNUAL INSP.

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