The doctor has it now, and we've found contamination in the settling bowl. It came from the cork float on the header tank fuel gauge. We're sending the carb in for a rebuild. The only question is, were we running rich or lean. And, what if I'd closed the throttle before I did, like out over the lake. The force was with us.
L.K. Wilkins
Keith wrote:
In the latest issue of Flyer in the Accident Reports Section they list one for an Ercoupe. The report reads:Aircraft: Ercoupe 415c
Location: Hartselle, AL
Injuries: One serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
What Reportedly Happened: The engine lost power as the pilot turned onto the downwind leg for landing. As the pilot approached for landing, the aircraft collided with a power line and then the ground. A post-crash examination of the engine showed it was operating with an excessively rich fuel mixture. The carburetor float, which was found stuck in the full-needle valve-open position, had excessive solder on the float fulcrum that contacts the bowl wall. The carburetor had been recently modified by installing a new style of needle valve, which also required the addition of weight to the float fulcrum with solder.
Probably Cause: Improper modification of the carburetor float by maintenance personnel resulted in the float sticking in the full-needle valve-open position. The engine failed due to excessive fuel flow.Just FYI
Keith Bolte
5663F
Portland, OR
