there was an aeroperu 757 that crashed with 150 pax off lima for exactly
the same problem
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From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Richard Schultz
Sent: 18 August, 2006 18:43
Subject: Europa-List: Oshkosh by air - return by Avis UPDATE
For those keeping up with the story of the engine problem.
I used my enclosed trailer to recover the aircraft from its temporary exile
in Iowa and have returned it to Houston. I had hoped that the time apart
would give the plane a chance to think about it attitude.
I was off today and finally got around to pulling the cowls and going back
through the engine fuel system one step at a time. The fuel filters, as
before were clean. Testing the pumps showed the normal amount of unregulated
fuel flow of about 5 gallons in 10 minutes. Looking at the carburetor system
for how it works the mixture. I pulled each of the vacuum lines and checked
them for holes and cracks. I also inspected the 3-way valve for any dirt or
blockage. I pulled the airbox pressure sensor and checked that it was clean
of dirt and open to the back. I then pulled the static port that plugs in
through the firewall. I was surprised to feel it stick in the firewall as I
pulled it out. Looking back through the hole I noticed a rubber tube end
facing the inside of the hole?
Not remembering adding a vent hose to the sensor end I opened the access
panel to the firewall and removed the radios from the stack to get my hands
inside the panel to see what I had done.. I found the source of my problem
attached to a 3 inch piece of tape clearly marked REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT.
I had left the cover over the end of the static port during sanding and
painting and had made plans to remove it before installing the instrument
panel. Guess what I forgot to do! UGH I left the rubber end cap on the
static port. I guess the first 80 hours the engine was run in a lower and
cooler environment then the last part of the Oshkosh trip. The added height
and temp was enough the cause the fuel-air mixture to be too lean with the
static port plugged.
I will give the plane a good going over this weekend while I have it
stripped down as I am at the 100 hour mark and want to check every thing but
I plan to get a flight test in the early part of next week weather
permitting.
Lesson learned if you plan to do something later, ADD it to your annex E
check list so you double check you got back to it. While this had a happy
ending it could have been a lot more exciting if the power failure had been
complete and at night.
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