What happened
On 6 July 2001, a Piper PA-22-160, registration G-ARSX, was conducting a ferry flight from Tayto Castle to Newtownards. Following standard pre-flight procedures, including engine oil replenishment and fuel checks, the pilot commenced the flight. During the departure, the aircraft took off into a 10-knot wind on a heading of 330°.
As the aircraft was performing a climbing turn to a heading of 060°, reaching approximately 200 feet above ground level with a 10-degree bank, the engine ceased operation. The pilot attempted to verify the magneto, fuel selector, and throttle settings, but determined that a restart was not possible. Consequently, the pilot executed a forced landing into a clear area using second-stage flaps. The pilot sustained minor injuries to the back but was able to vacate the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sudden loss of power and the state of the fuel system. The aircraft had been stored outdoors for one month, exposed to varying weather and temperatures. While the pilot had performed run-up checks using the right fuel tank, the post-accident inspection of the fuel system provided critical details.
Investigators found that although the gascolator contained fuel and the carburettor was fully functional, there was no fuel present within the carburettor bowl. The aircraft's documentation specified the left tank as the main tank and the right tank as an auxiliary tank, noting that the auxiliary tank should only be used for level flight when its contents fall below one-third capacity. At the time of the incident, the right tank contained 30 litres of its 72-litre capacity.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred during a climbing turn at 200 feet agl.
- There was no fuel present in the carburettor bowl at the time of the engine failure.
- Vapour lock within the fuel feed from the auxiliary tank was the likely cause of the power loss.