What happened
The pilot, holding a commercial certificate with over 1,000 hours of flight time, reported that the aircraft engine lost power while operating in cruise flight conditions. The specific circumstances leading to the immediate loss of thrust were not detailed in the narrative beyond this event.
The investigation
Following the incident, a thorough mechanical inspection of the engine was conducted to determine the root cause of the power failure. Investigators discovered that an aluminum sliver had become lodged between the needle valve and the carburetor housing seat. This obstruction prevented proper fuel flow or metering, resulting in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the primary factor was the mechanical obstruction within the carburetor assembly. The presence of the aluminum debris directly caused the operational failure. Additionally, it was noted that the pilot did not return a completed NTSB Form 6120.5 as requested by the investigator-in-charge, limiting the availability of further pilot-reported data.
Safety message
Regular pre-flight inspections and maintenance checks are critical to identifying foreign object debris or internal component failures before they lead to in-flight emergencies.