Hosed

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Multiple aircraft experienced failures of various hoses (fuel, oil, vacuum, pitot) due to leaks, cracks, splits, or internal deterioration.
These hose failures led to critical safety concerns including potential fires, loss of essential flight instrumentation (airspeed, vacuum), and significant engine oil loss.
Failures occurred across a wide range of operational times, from newly installed parts (8 hours) to those with thousands of hours (8873 hours), suggesting diverse underlying causes from material defects to wear.

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Beech A36 Bonanza

Leaking Fuel Hose

During annual inspection, the technician noticed evidence of a possible fire in the engine compartment. Further inspection found the fuel hose (p/n 330995f-0060) from fuel flow sensor to fuel spider had been leaking. Removed fuel hose, pressurized it with air and found it leaking throughout its entire length.

Part total time: Unknown

Diamond DA20-C1

Leaking Fuel Hose

During scheduled maintenance, fuel was leaking from the hose between the engine fuel distributor and fuel pressure gauge sending unit. Investigation revealed the firesleeved hose had failed at its midpoint. A replacement hose was installed. Maintenance documents list the hose as an “on-condition” item.

Part total time: 4847.0 hours

Mooney M20S Eagle

Internal Deterioration

Standby vacuum system squawked inoperative. Electric-driven pump found full of a thick, oily substance. Hose from pump to firewall was full of this material, but there was none in the vacuum regulator. It appears the fluid is from internal deterioration of the hose. This is an emergency backup system that wouldn’t have been available if it was needed.

Part total time: Unknown

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee 140

Defective Material

Pilot reported a pool of oil under the engine cowl. Examination revealed an oil cooler hose had split and dumped six quarts of oil. The two hoses where changed 7.58 hours prior to this event ICW AD 95-26-13. After removal, hose material was found split open in three places.

Part total time: 8.0 hours

Piper PA-28-181 Archer II/III

Cracked Pitot Line

Pilot reported the airspeed indicator failed during takeoff and indicated zero knots. Initial pitot system test indicated a severe leak. A detailed inspection revealed a flexible rubber hose had a small, linear crack approximately 0.3750 in. long near the clamp connecting the hose to a hard line on the airspeed indicator.

Part total time: 8873.0 hours

Piper PA-31T Cheyenne

Cracked Steel Braiding

While en route, the pilot noticed dropping oil pressure on the left engine and diverted. Engine oil was evident on cowling and wing. Motored engine to build oil pressure to 60 psi and found oil dripping from hose between oil cooler and accessory section. Found hose saturated under firesleeve. Removed firesleeve and area with tight radius had cracked and cut into rubber hose. Replaced hose (p/n AE7010201k0240). According to owner, all engine hoses had been replaced a short time before.

Part total time: Unknown