Casualties unknown

2001-04-20: Piper PA-31-350 (N4078L) — Newark, OH

Newark, OH, US

On April 20, 2001, a Piper PA-31-350 (registration N4078L) was involved in an aviation accident near Newark, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The company maintenance personnel's failure to comply with the service bulletin, which resulted in a fuel boost pump leakage and subsequent fire during taxi. A factor was the manufacturer's confusing service bulletin. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

After landing, a pilot observed a fire in the left engine, secured it, and evacuated. Examination identified a fuel boost pump leak caused by incorrect torque of screws due to an ambiguous service bulletin.

Incident Overview

After landing, while taxiing back to the ramp area, the pilot observed a fire in the left engine. The pilot secured the engine and evacuated the airplane.

Investigation Findings

Examination of the engine revealed that the fuel boost pump was leaking. The pump was subsequently tested at the manufacturer's facility, where it was determined that the wrong set of four screws had been torqued. The pump manufacturer had a service bulletin that required inspection and, if necessary, retorque of four screws securing the pump valve assembly.

Service Bulletin Ambiguity

Discussions between the pump manufacturer and the airplane operator indicated that the service bulletin contained ambiguity. Maintenance personnel were confused as to which four screws the bulletin referred to.

Corrective Action

Following the incident, the pump manufacturer revised the service bulletin to clarify the correct screws.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010523X01007. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.