Cessna TU206-A, VH-DGD, Bankstown, New South Wales, on 22 April 1990

Circumstances:

The aircraft had taken off from runway 29R when, at a height of about 80 feet, the engine suffered a substantial loss of power. A forced landing was carried out onto a cleared area, beyond the end of the runway. The nose gear collapsed as the pilot attempted to ground loop the aircraft to avoid fences. Investigation revealed a non-standard fuel strainer drain had been fitted in the fuel supply system between the fuel tank and the engine driven pump. Stress corrosion cracking caused failure of the strainer drain adapter fitting and allowed fuel to leak from the engine fuel supply. The diminished fuel supply was insufficient for the engine to maintain power.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. Unauthorised modification of the fuel strainer drain system.

2. Stress corrosion failure of the fuel strainer drain adapter fitting.

3. Insufficient fuel supply to the engine to maintain power.