Accident Summary
A pilot operating an airplane for a parachute jump encountered a mechanical issue when the wing flaps jammed in the mid-range position. After the parachutist successfully exited the aircraft, the pilot began a return for landing. To accommodate the flap condition, he extended the traffic pattern. While on the base leg of the approach, the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and determined that the aircraft was beyond gliding distance to the airport. He executed an off-airport landing in a field, touching down downwind.
Aircraft and Systems
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the flap jam was caused by a broken flap support on the inboard left flap track. Following the accident, the engine was test run and performed satisfactorily. The fuel quantity was reported at the one-quarter level. The FAA determined that the power loss was attributed to the fuel selector being improperly positioned.
Findings
The investigation identified two separate issues: a mechanical failure of the flap support and an operational error in fuel selector positioning. The flap jam did not prevent the parachutist from exiting or the pilot from maneuvering, but it likely affected the aircraft's performance during the approach. The engine subsequently operated normally, indicating no pre-existing mechanical defect.