N517PSiai-Marchetti F.260

On September 4, 2009, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Siai-Marchetti SF-260, N517P, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and forced landing after takeoff at Cobb County Airport (RYY), Atlanta, Georgia. The certificated private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that was originating at the time of the accident. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, the preflight, engine run-up, taxi, and takeoff from runway 9 were all “normal.” At 500 feet above ground level (agl), the engine lost power, and the pilot maneuvered the airplane for a downwind landing on runway 27. The pilot confirmed the positions of the throttle, propeller, fuel pump, and fuel selector controls and the engine temporarily regained power. About 300 feet agl, the engine again lost power, and the pilot elected to land gear up in a field off-airport, due to the extension time required for the airplane’s landing gear system. The pilot described a “benign” off-airport landing in tall weeds and brush, and he and his passenger were greeted by airport emergency personnel almost immediately after egressing the airplane.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued April 18, 2008. The pilot reported 1,300 total hours of flight experience, of which 369 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

According to the owner, the airplane was manufactured in 1968 and had accrued 1,592 total aircraft hours. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on January 30, 2009, at 1,584 total aircraft hours.

At 1346, the weather reported at RYY included few clouds at 3,000 feet and winds from 110 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The visibility was 10 miles. The temperature was 24 degrees Celsius (C) and the dew point was 15 degrees C.

Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose section, firewall, cabin structure, and empennage.

The integrity of the fuel system was verified, and no evidence of fuel contamination was noted during sampling. The airframe fuel filters were inspected as well as the airframe fuel pump filters with no clogs or contamination noted. The carburetor was broken off at its mount; however the lines and controls were still intact. Operation of the airframe boost pumps revealed that the pumps would not draw fuel. Closer examination of the fuel selector valve and fuel shut-off cock revealed staining consistent with fuel leakage.

When positive pressure was applied to the fuel tanks, fuel leaked around the shaft of the fuel shut-off cock located under the cockpit instrument panel area. Pressure was removed from the tanks, the fuel shut-off cock was sealed with a rag, and the boost pumps were then able to draw fuel when power was applied. Removal of the rag created an air leak, and the boost pumps would not draw fuel.

On June 17, 2010, the fuel selector valve and the fuel shut-off cock were removed, disassembled, and examined under the supervision of an FAA inspector. Examination revealed that the interior seals for the selector shafts were "sloppy" on both.

The manufacturer's Special Inspection List, outlined "overhaul/replacement" of the fuel shut-off cock every 5 years or 1,500 flight hours, whichever occurred first.

According to the inspector, the amount of calendar time that had elapsed between the annual inspection and his post-accident examination of the airplane allowed for the "seal to have possibly leaked at some time after the annual inspection."

The FAA inspector was asked to clarify whose responsibility it was to comply with the manufacturer's recommended overhaul schedule. He stated that such schedules were recommended, not mandatory, and that the overall responsibility for the airworthiness of the airplane fell to the owner/operator.

According to the inspector, "The IA (inspection authority) performing the inspection is responsible for the inspection as required by CFR Part 43. Appendix D lists the minimum inspection requirements for the completion of an annual inspection. The rules require an annual inspection… There is no requirement that I know of to formally advise the aircraft owner of recommended overhauls."

Examination of a SIAI-Marchetti "unofficial" website revealed a discussion thread between the website's author and an SF-260 owner about his experience troubleshooting a rough-running engine. That owner was contacted, and he provided a written statement that outlined the diagnosis and solution to the problem he experienced with his airplane.

According to the owner, he plumbed a can of fuel directly to the mechanical fuel pump and then to the "upstream side" of the gascolator, and the engine ran smoothly each time, which suggested to him that "the problem was somewhere in the plumbing between the tanks and gascolator." He then plumbed the fuel directly from the right tip tank to the fuel line upstream of the gascolator "bypassing the faulty fuel selector," and the engine ran smoothly again.

According to the owner, "The culprit was quickly identified as the 'O' ring (seal) around the stem shaft of the fuel tank selector. On examination we determined that the ring had hardened with age, losing all its pliancy and admitting enough air to cause the roughness in the engine. Installing a fresh 'O' ring cleared up the problem."