19970711018219A

Lost power and crash landed. Fuel tanks were empty. Pilot reported fuel leak. Landed due fire threat. (.4)the skybolt experimental airplane was flying east of the airport when the 'engine started missing.' The aircraft entered downwind for runway 11 at the Eagle Air Park Airport. The pilot reported that while on crosswind, about 12 minutes after takeoff, he smelled 'raw fuel, looked down on floor board, and saw fuel.' The fuel pressure which was normally 30 PSI, began to fluctuate 'radically,' and the engine 'cut out.' The pilot turned on the electric fuel pump, and the engine 'came back up to power.' After turning final, the engine started 'cutting in and out, the fuel pressure could not be kept up,' and the engine lost power. Unable to reach a suitable area, the pilot landed the airplane in trees; the airplane then 'hit the ground flat.' Prior to the accident flight, the pilot fueled the airplane with 15 gallons of 100 octane low lead aviation fuel. An FAA inspector's examination of the fuel system revealed no apparent signs of rupture or lack of integrity, and there was no fuel in the fuel tank. After the airplane was moved another FAA inspector pumped the wobble pump and could smell fuel. The pilot/owner found that one of the hoses that was connected to the wobble pump, which was located under the pilot's seat, had been leaking fuel at its clamp. Fuel stains were found on the fabric aft of the wobble pump. (-23) on July 11, 1997, at 1845 central daylight time, a bronner steen skybolt airplane, N773HD, registered and operated by the pilot, on a pleasure flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Brazoria, Texas. Examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that the airplane fuel system was intact and there was no fuel in its fuel tank. Witnesses reported that when they arrived at the crash site there was no smell of fuel. There was no evidence of a fuel spill.