Willoughby Pete A STREAK SHADOW N2828W

Summary

On 15 April 2012 at about 21:30 local time, a Willoughby Pete A STREAK SHADOW registered N2828W, operated by Martin Joseph K, was involved in an accident near Salem, West Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 April 2012 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Salem, West Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Private Airstrip

Coordinates

39.2831, -80.6150

Aircraft

Willoughby Pete A STREAK SHADOW

Registration

N2828W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Martin Joseph K

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Salem → Salem

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA285

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power due to a piston seizure that resulted from a fuel system restriction and poorly secured fuel lines. Contributing to the accident were the pilot/builder’s failure to follow the engine manufacturer procedures and his use of nonaviation parts to secure fuel lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was attempting the first flight since the airplane was damaged in an accident about 2 years earlier and then “rebuilt.” Shortly after takeoff, the engine sputtered and lost all power. While the pilot was attempting to maneuver for a forced landing, the airplane collided with trees and terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe and serious injuries to the pilot. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed that the pistons were severely scored, indicative of a seizure. Examinations revealed that nonaviation tie wraps were used to secure the fuel lines to various fittings, and, in one location, no clamp was used. The airplane was equipped with an in-line fuel flow transducer. Disassembly of the engine revealed that the transducer incorporated a 2-millimeter (mm) jet. According to the engine manufacturer, no device with a diameter smaller than 5 mm should be installed anywhere in the fuel system. The transducer was installed on a test engine, and the engine ran normally up to 7,100 rpm with the 2-mm jet. When a small amount of air was introduced into the lines to replicate a poorly secured or unsecured fuel line, low fuel pressure and fluctuating rpm resulted, and subsequent examinations of the pistons showed signs of scoring damage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.