Amateur-built PT2 N44048 accident near Columbia, Mississippi

Probable cause

The pilot’s lack of proper maintenance, which allowed the fuel filters to become obstructed, leading to fuel starvation and a subsequent engine power loss.

NTSB analysis

The pilot, who was the airpane owner and builder, reported that while flying at about 1,000 ft above the ground, the airplane’s engine lost power and that attempts to restart it were not successful. He stated that there was a clearing farther along his flight path, but he did not have enough altitude to reach the clearing and elected to land on a gravel road. During the landing approach he saw a powerline and maneuvered to avoid it but struck a pine tree. The airplane came to rest in a nose-down attitude among the trees and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with regard to the engine; however, it was found that the in-line fuel filters installed in the fuel lines from the airplane’s wing mounted fuel tanks were obstructed. The pilot stated that he did not know when the fuel filters were last checked or changed and that they may have been on the airplane for about 20 years.

The recorded temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were in the range for serious carburetor icing at glide power.

Based on the available evidence the reason for the loss of engine power was likely due to the lack of periodic maintenance or replacement of the fuel filters, which allowed them to become obstructed and led to fuel starvation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA166 for the full record.