Fuel Exhaustion & Starvation · NTSB ERA09LA500
BLUM MATTHEW AVENTURA II — Boca Raton, FL
| Date | September 6, 2009 |
| Location | Boca Raton, FL |
| Aircraft | BLUM MATTHEW AVENTURA II (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Approach-VFR pattern crosswind Loss of engine power (partial) |
| Pilot age | 78 |
| Pilot total time | 155 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The improper assembly of both carburetors, resulting in an excessively rich fuel to air ratio and subsequent partial loss of engine power.
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine fuel and control-Fuel control/carburetor-Malfunction - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine fuel and control-Fuel control/carburetor-Incorrect service/maintenance - C
What happened
The pilot had not flown the airplane for the 2 ½ months prior to the accident. The pilot departed to practice full-stop landings, and as he turned onto the crosswind leg a witness reported hearing the engine sputtering. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed an improper assembly of both carburetors which could have caused an excessively rich fuel to air ratio. While maneuvering, the airplane stalled and impacted a road. No airframe preimpact failure or malfunction was noted, and no determination could be made as to who improperly assembled the carburetors.