Amateur-built GINNY B N349E accident near South Harrison Township, New Jersey

Probable cause

The pilot/mechanic's failure to safety-wire the gascolator bale clamp, which resulted in a fuel leak and subsequent total loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The sport pilot/mechanic reported that the accident flight was the first flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane after he installed an overhauled engine. About 30 minutes after takeoff, the engine experienced a sudden and total loss of power and would not restart. The pilot then conducted a forced landing to a grass field, and the airplane nosed over.

The pilot and another mechanic subsequently performed a condition inspection of the airplane and found that fuel had leaked from the gascolator between the glass cup and metal frame. They also found that the gascolator bale clamp was not safety-wired, which allowed the clamp to loosen and subsequently relax the seal between the glass cup and the metal frame and the fuel to leak.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA16LA153 for the full record.