Accident Overview
On September 13, 2020, about 1632 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-22 airplane, registration N8875C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Homer, Alaska. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Sequence
The pilot reported that the flight was the first since the airplane's annual inspection on July 21. During the preflight inspection, he sumped each of the four low-point fuel drains and removed about half an inch of water from the left-wing tank drain; the other samples were clear. The wing tank fuel levels were about three-quarters full.
After engine start, the pilot taxied a long distance to runway 22 with the fuel selector positioned on the right tank. He then switched to the left tank for takeoff. During the initial climb from runway 22, at about 200 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the propeller continued to windmill. The pilot executed a forced landing to a beach on Kachemak Bay near the airport. During the landing, the left-wing tip struck the surface, resulting in a loss of control. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
The pilot noted that the airport had experienced heavy rainfall the previous month and that the wing fuel tank cap gaskets had been recently replaced due to wear and corrosion on the filler necks. He indicated that the airplane had experienced water intrusion into the left tank.
Postaccident Examination
Examination of the airframe revealed that the right-wing fuel tank cap was secure in place. The right tank filler neck exhibited corrosion on over 25 percent of its surface, and a badly deteriorated and crumbling black gasket was present around the filler neck. The left fuel cap was secure with a gasket in place, and the tank filler neck exhibited surface corrosion on about 40 percent of the surface with some metal deterioration around the neck. The base of the left-wing filler neck showed a 3-inch separation from the fuel tank around the circumference and outward from the neck about 1 inch. The fuel selector valve was found in the off position and moved smoothly through the left, right, and off positions, with all detents evident.
The gascolator was located in an area of significant impact deformation. The gascolator bowl was separated from the cap and contained no liquid; the filter screen was clear of debris. The propeller rotated freely by hand, and crankshaft and camshaft continuity were confirmed. The ignition system was functionally tested with no anomalies noted. The piston heads, cylinder walls, and spark plugs indicated normal wear signatures. The carburetor was attached to the oil sump and exhibited fractures at the throttle valve housing. Engine control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the carburetor and airbox. The carburetor was disassembled, and no mechanical anomalies were noted. A fuel sample from the carburetor bowl contained a mixture of brownish water and fuel. The inlet fuel screen was wet and clear of debris.
No probable cause was stated in the investigation source.