Piper PA-28-140 N3508K accident near Rochester, Nevada

Probable cause

A broken fuel line fitting that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was on a cross-country flight when the engine lost power during cruise flight. He said the engine rpm initially decreased from 2,400 rpm to 950 rpm, before decreasing until the engine lost all power. The pilot stated that he did not hear any unusual noises from the engine at the time it lost power, but he observed the fuel flow initially increase from 7.2 gallons per hour (gph) to 9 gph, before continuing to increase to 15 gph. He performed the emergency checklist for loss of engine power inflight but was unable to restart the engine. The pilot had the left fuel tank selected when the loss of power occurred. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an area of flat terrain. During the landing, all three landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

The engine and fuel system were examined and the fuel line fitting connecting the fuel second flow sensor to the fuel line that ran to the carburetor was found broken. About 15 gallons of fuel remained in the left fuel tank and the right fuel tank was breached during the impact. No additional anomalies were noted during the examination of the engine and airframe.

The pilot’s observations of the fuel flow readings increasing as the engine lost power and his inability to restart the engine are consistent with the fuel line fitting breaking inflight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Complete maintenance records were not available to determine when the fuel flow sensors had been installed or if any maintenance had been performed on the suspect fuel fitting after installation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA232 for the full record.