What happened
The aircraft sustained damage during a forced landing following an unexpected engine shutdown. According to the pilot, several weeks prior to the incident, he noticed that the fuel crossover quick drain was frozen shut and would not open for drainage. To resolve this, he removed the drain assembly to lubricate it. Upon reinstalling the component, he encountered insufficient access to properly safety wire the drain in place. Instead of seeking alternative secure methods, he wired the drain to an adjacent screw.
The investigation
Post-accident examination revealed that the screw, safety wire, and the fuel drain were all missing from their mounting points. The pilot acknowledged it was possible he had failed to retighten the screw during reinstallation. This improper securing method likely allowed the drain to become loose or detach during flight. The aircraft was reported to have approximately 21 gallons of fuel on board for a flight duration of 45 minutes, with a stated fuel burn rate of about 15.5 gallons per hour.
Findings
The primary issue stemmed from fuel exhaustion caused by the loss of the fuel crossover drain. The pilot's decision to wire the drain to an adjacent screw rather than properly safety wiring it created a critical mechanical failure point. The missing components indicated that the improper installation did not withstand the vibrations and forces of flight, leading to the loss of fuel containment.