Maintenance and Test Flight
The aircraft was in the maintenance shop for correction of a rough running engine at climb power, accompanied by fuel flow fluctuations. The maintenance department replaced the fuel pump, flow divider, and engine spark plugs. The accident flight was a post-maintenance test flight to approve the aircraft for return to service.
Accident Sequence
During the second touch-and-go departure, the engine quit and the aircraft collided with the ground during the attempted forced landing.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, the engine was test run using the components in the aircraft. It would only run very rough at no higher than 1400 RPM. An obstruction was found in the fuel control unit. Optical examination of the foreign object revealed that it was similar in composition, color, and texture to fuel system seal material.
Engine and Fuel Control Unit History
The engine was manufactured in July of 1990 and installed in the airframe on August 14, 1990. The fuel control unit was supplied by Continental already installed on the engine. As of the accident, the engine had accumulated a total time of 256 hours.