Service difficulty report · Carburetor · Piper PA28181

Difficulty date
April 27, 2019
Submitted
September 30, 2019
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N4400D
Make and model
Piper PA28181
Aircraft serial
2881108
Aircraft time
203 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A4M
Engine time
203 hours
Propeller
Snsnch 76EM8S5
Part
Carburetor
Part number
AV106102
Part serial
AV26549679
Condition
Leaking
Location
Engine
Part time
203 hours
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
C
Nature of condition
K, A
Precautionary procedure
E

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

What was found

ON ENGINE START ATTEMPT THERE WAS A MAJOR ENGINE FIRE. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE CARBURETOR SPEWED OUT FUEL BECAUSE THE FUEL VAPORIZATION IN THE FUEL LINES OVERPOWERED THE FLOAT VALVE AND SEAT. THIS CAUSED THE CARBURETOR TO FLOOD THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE SOURCE OF THE SPARK THAT IGNITED THE FUEL IS UNKNOWN.

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