NTSB: Loose nut caused deadly Nevada County crash that killed Placer pilot
A loose fuel fitting likely caused the crash that killed a Placer County pilot in Grass Valley earlier this year, federal investigators concluded.
A recently released National Transportation Safety Board report on the May 1 crash pointed to a loose B-nut fitting on the outlet line from the fuel strainer as the source. The 1977 Cessna 177 Cardinal RG was piloted by Richard Lund, 64, of Newcastle. He was the only person aboard.
Flight tracking systems showed Lund appeared to be circling from the left to approach the airport from the west when it crashed.
Lund had taken off from Auburn about 8:05 a.m. May 1. His plane went down minutes later at 8:19 a.m. on the 1000 block of Whispering Pines Lane in Grass Valley, said Grass Valley Police Department.
Investigators noted that the fitting likely loosened over time due to engine vibration. Blue fuel staining near the B-nut indicated leakage, and no impact damage was found that might otherwise explain the failure. Records show the aircraft had flown only 2½ hours since its last inspection, and the NTSB concluded that the improper maintenance and inspection failure directly contributed to the crash.
Officials at Nevada County Airport said Lund had issued a mayday call. His single-engine plane clipped trees during descent, and he appeared to be steering away from populated areas before impact, investigators said.
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