History of Flight
On October 13, 2011, at approximately 1615 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Pietenpol Aircamper, registration N762S, performed a forced landing after losing engine power during takeoff from San Rafael Airport, San Rafael, California. The student sport pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight had departed at 1614 under visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed.
During the takeoff climb, the engine speed reduced to idle. The pilot cycled the throttle control, and the engine sputtered. After troubleshooting, he could not restore power. As the airplane descended, the pilot maneuvered it under power transmission lines and landed in a marsh. The lift struts and wings sustained substantial damage.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a high-wing parasol type, equipped with a Continental O-200 series engine that had recently been installed and had accrued 23.5 flight hours since overhaul. The aircraft was built in 1991 and purchased by the pilot in June 2011.
A responding fire chief noted that fuel was present in the fuel tank. The airplane was recovered and examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. Fuel was found in the gascolator, free of water. Engine controls were continuous, the carburetor air induction system was unobstructed, and the magnetos were intact and firmly attached.
Examination Findings
During disassembly, the fuel tank screen was discovered installed over the fuel sump outlet instead of the fuel line outlet. The elbow fitting below the fuel supply line appeared partially occluded with debris. The fitting was examined by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and contained two 1/4-inch-long epoxy-like fragments and a wad of material similar in appearance to Teflon pipe sealing tape.