Microlighters

Hi All,

I had my first engine out on Sunday morning. I was approaching the runway from the upwind side when I started losing power. I tried to keep the engine running and proceed towards the field, but this was a slow process as the headwind was at around 16 MPH with almost no engine power. I had good height to work with and decided, due to the headwind and obstacles in the way if I don't make the runway, to route towards an open field on the downwind side. I managed to keep my passenger calm and we landed safely without any injuries or damage to the trike.

On the ground I realized the engine was still idling and I was able to taxi towards a gravel road. The engine had full power as if nothing was wrong. I have the normal snoopy tank on my trike. When I inspected the fuel pickup pipe, I saw that the pickup pipe that enters through the fuel cap was not in its normal position, it was moving freely in the tank. Thus my losing power was when the pipe moved and was sucking air instead of fuel.

Are there anyone else who had this problem before? Any suggestions on how to prevent this from happening again?

Thanks
Maybe.

(Now I've experienced firsthand why they say: "Hoogte is Geld in die Bank!" )

Glad you OK. Put a small hose clamp on the inside agianst the fuel cap, Make sure the cap still moves freely but the pipe can't pull out of the cap after tightening the clamp. It will solve your problem.

It happened to me twice and after redoing carbs etc at enormous cost I realised the previous owner had attached a small rubber hose at the bottom of the aluminium fuell line to get that last bit of juice out.

Also make sure you have a upside down v cut into the pipe in case it lies at the bottom of the tank it will not smother.

Glad you handled the landing with a cool head and all went well.

Well done, great that you stayed calm and calming your PAX. Well handled..

Thanks all for the info.
That pick-up pipe is secure now. I have aluminum pickup pipe with a 180 deg bend at the end of the pipe, so I guess the upside down V won't be necessary. (If I understand correct?)

Hopefully I won't have another engine-out anytime soon!!