What happened
The aircraft was involved in an incident during a climb phase of flight. According to the pilot's account, the engine experienced a complete loss of power while the aircraft was climbing through an altitude of 1800 feet above ground level (AGL). Following this mechanical failure, the pilot initiated a forced landing procedure. During the descent and subsequent touchdown, the aircraft collided with mailboxes located near the landing site.
The investigation
A post-crash inspection of the engine was conducted to determine the root cause of the power loss. The examination revealed that the gasket on the fuel transfer pump bowl had failed. This mechanical failure prevented proper fuel flow, leading to the engine stopping. To verify the findings and ensure the airframe was safe for further operation, the gasket was replaced. After this repair, the engine was tested and ran with no other discrepancies noted.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the fuel transfer pump bowl gasket failure. This component malfunction directly caused the engine failure that necessitated the emergency landing. The pilot's decision to execute a forced landing resulted in secondary damage from the collision with ground infrastructure, specifically the mailboxes.