What happened
A business flight from Little Grand Rapids Airport to Matheson Island, Manitoba, ended in a forced landing after a Piper PA-28-140 experienced a sudden loss of engine power. The aircraft, carrying a pilot and two passengers, was climbing through 2,200 feet when the engine failed, causing the plane to strike a tree. Although the engine briefly regained power, a second loss of power occurred at 2,000 feet, forcing the pilot to land the aircraft in a marshy area approximately 27 nautical miles west of the departure point.
The impact with trees during the landing caused extensive damage to the aircraft's wings, fuselage, landing gear, and engine mountings. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the two passengers remained uninjured.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system and discovered that both fuel tanks contained cloth rags, measuring approximately 6 by 14 inches. Because these rags sink in fuel and the fuel tank outlets are located at the lowest point of the tanks, the debris had migrated to the outlets, obstructing the fuel flow. The investigation also looked into the security of the aircraft while it was parked at the Little Grand Rapids Airport, where it had been left unattended from the evening of April 22 until the afternoon of April 24.
Further examination of the airport revealed that while a fence exists, an unlocked gate allows the public easy access to the ramp. Additionally, the aircraft's fuel filler caps could not be locked, and the lack of screens on the filler necks allowed foreign objects to be introduced into the tanks without being visible during a standard pre-flight inspection.
Findings
- The engine lost power due to fuel starvation caused by rags placed in the fuel tanks by unknown persons.
- The rags likely entered the tanks while the aircraft was parked on the ramp at Little Grand and Rapids Airport.
- The ease of access to the aircraft was facilitated by the lack of security for the fuel supply and the ability for unauthorized persons to enter the ramp area via an unlocked gate.
- The design of the fuel tanks made it difficult to detect the presence of the rags during pre-flight checks, as the filler necks do not provide a full view of the tank interior.
- The pilot's injuries might have been prevented by the use of the available shoulder harness.