Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164B N8362K accident near Lyons Point, Louisiana

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to debris contamination of the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

NTSB analysis

The pilot departed for the seventh of fifteen planned aerial application flights that day; the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a rice field. A fuel sample drained from the airplane following the accident was cloudy and contained floating debris. Postaccident examination of the fuel system revealed a significant amount of debris, including grass, leaves, insects, and dirt, in the fuel control filter and airframe filter bowl. Further examination of the fuel filter assembly revealed that the inlet and outlet holes of the filter housing, as well as the filter inlet hose, contained debris of sufficient quantity to result in a disruption of fuel flow to the engine. Whether the pilot conducted a preflight inspection could not be determined; however, a fuel sample taken prior to the flight would likely have displayed contamination.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16LA180 for the full record.