N51SFHawker SEA FURY TMK 20 · 1948

On August 20, 2008, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Hawker Sea Fury TMK 20, N51SF, lost total engine power on final for runway 14 at the Reno-Stead Airport (4SD), Reno, Nevada. Cavanaugh Air Museum, Inc., operated the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a maintenance test flight. The airline transport rated pilot, who is also a mechanic, was not injured. The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage during the forced landing on the desert floor.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, a new carburetor had been installed on the airplane the day before the accident. The accident flight was a maintenance check flight. While on final for runway 14, the engine quit. The pilot had to maneuver away from the instrument landing system (ILS) during the forced landing, and the airplane came to rest short of runway 32. The tail section separated at the empennage, as well as propeller and leading edge damage to both wings.

The carburetor was shipped to Vintage Carburetors, Inc., Tehachapi, California. Repair personnel reported that prior to disassembly the carburetor was placed on a flow bench and did not pass the air leakage check; chamber B became filled with fuel and would not flow. According to paperwork submitted by Vintage Carburetors, if either or both of the air passages (chamber A or B) have fuel in it, it could indicate leaking diaphragms. During disassembly of the carburetor, repair personnel noted that the center balance diaphragm (part number 366999) had ruptured.