AAIB investigation to Piper PA-28-161, G-BZDA

Loss of power after takeoff, White Waltham, Berkshire, 13 September 2020.

From:: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Published: 13 May 2021

Category:: General aviation - fixed wing
Report type:: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
Date of occurrence:: 13 September 2020
Aircraft type:: Piper PA-28-161
Location:: White Waltham, Berkshire
Registration:: G-BZDA

Summary:

Climbing through 100 ft after takeoff from Runway 29R at White Waltham Airfield, G-BZDA鈥檚 engine abruptly ran down. 皇冠体育app instructor took control from the student, lowered the aircraft鈥檚 nose and looked for a suitable landing area ahead. As the nose was lowered, the engine recovered to full power, so the instructor raised the nose to climb away again but the engine ran down a second time and stopped. 皇冠体育app instructor turned the aircraft left towards open ground and carried out a forced landing. 皇冠体育app student and instructor were unhurt and vacated the aircraft without assistance.

皇冠体育app loss of power resulted from the gascolator drain being inadvertently locked open leading to partial fuel starvation. Following this accident, the CAA released a Safety Notice reminding owners and operators of this potential hazard for aircraft fitted with lockable gascolator drains and recommending replacement with 鈥榮uitable, non-locking alternatives.鈥� 皇冠体育app CAA also undertook to review the risk associated with lockable gascolator drains against current Airworthiness Directive criteria.

皇冠体育app