Service difficulty report · Carburetor · Piper PA28181

Difficulty date
June 12, 2019
Submitted
September 30, 2019
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N28852
Make and model
Piper PA28181
Aircraft serial
2843732
Aircraft time
6,089 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A4M
Engine time
3,372 hours
Propeller
Snsnch 76EM8
Part
Carburetor
Part number
AV106102
Part serial
75BW2713
Condition
Leaking
Location
Engine
Part time
960 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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