On September 13, 1992, a Tinsman RV6 (registration N42JT) operated by Tinsman, James Wesley was involved in an aviation accident near Foristell, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A faulty seal in the fuel injection system caused the engine to run too rich to sustain operation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane lost engine power on the downwind leg of the landing pattern. The pilot attempted an off-airport landing; the airplane struck transmission lines and crashed. Examination found a faulty seal in the fuel injection system caused an overly rich mixture.
Accident Sequence
The incident began when the airplane lost engine power while flying the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for landing. The pilot evaluated the situation and concluded that the airplane's altitude was too low to safely reach the intended airstrip. Consequently, an off-airport landing was attempted. While descending toward the chosen landing area, the airplane contacted transmission lines and then struck the ground in a field.
Investigation Results
Investigators examined the airplane's fuel injection system. They discovered a faulty seal within the system. This defective seal caused the engine to operate with an overly rich fuel mixture, which could not sustain normal engine operation. As a result, the engine lost power, leading to the forced landing attempt.
Probable cause
A faulty seal in the fuel injection system caused the engine to run too rich to sustain operation.