NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-69-026
Recommendation
(1) IMMEDIATE INSPECTION OF SET SCREW OF FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE IN ALL PA-30 AIRCRAFT, AND THAT (2) A MORE DEPENDABLE METHOD OF ATTACHING THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE TO THE SELECTOR VALVE BE DESIGNED.
Safety Issue and Context
THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEPARTED FROM DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT AT ABOUT 0135 EST FOR AN INTENDED CHICAGO DESTINATION. SHORTLY AFTER TAKE-OFF AND WHILE IN A LEFT TURN THE PILOT RADIOED THAT HE HAD LOST AN ENGINE. THE TOWER THEN GAVE THE PILOT RUNWAY 21R TO RETURN TO. THERE WERE NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS.
Response History
October 8, 1969 · Recipient Response · FAA
10/8/69 THE FAA STATED THEY HAD: (1) ISSUED A "TELERT" NOTIFYING OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF THE DESIRABILITY OF AN IMMEDIATE INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE HANDLES AND SCREWS ON ALL PA-30 AIRCRAFT; (2) ARRANGED FOR PUBLICATION OF GENERAL AVIATION INSPECTION AIDS, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM, A PICTURE OF THE PARTS, AND A RECOMMENDED METHOD OF PREFLIGHT CHECKING; AND WERE (3) WORKING WITH PIPER TO DESIGN A MORE POSITIVE METHOD OF FASTENING THE HANDLE TO THE VALVE STEM FOR INSTALLATION ON ALL PA-30 AIRCRAFT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.