Air filter falls off in flight!
in 912 / 914 Technical Questions
7 years ago
Hi. An aircraft at our airfield had an air filter part company with its carb in flight. I wanted to ask what would be the effects of running an engine without an air filter? Some more info...
Rotax 912ULS. On take off pilots reported a strong smell of fuel. Otherwise max power seemed to be achieved and no strange vibration experienced so they carried on. Fuel smell dissipated over time but slightly higher rpm noticed in the cruise and fuel consumption had increased by a marked amount. They landed after 30 minutes lifted the cowl off and noticed the starboard air filter had come off (air filters have no wire lock tab to help secure to carb).
I can understand the mixture may be lean on a carb without an air filter. Would this also cause the other symptoms of higher fuel consumption and rpms, or may there be another issue (a fuel leak) to be searched for?
Thanks
Shelley
Rotax 912ULS. On take off pilots reported a strong smell of fuel. Otherwise max power seemed to be achieved and no strange vibration experienced so they carried on. Fuel smell dissipated over time but slightly higher rpm noticed in the cruise and fuel consumption had increased by a marked amount. They landed after 30 minutes lifted the cowl off and noticed the starboard air filter had come off (air filters have no wire lock tab to help secure to carb).
I can understand the mixture may be lean on a carb without an air filter. Would this also cause the other symptoms of higher fuel consumption and rpms, or may there be another issue (a fuel leak) to be searched for?
Thanks
Shelley
