20001028018779I

(-23)On October 28, 2000, at approximately 1430 hours PDT, experimental aircraft Kitfox 2, N164JR, made a forced landing in an open field three miles southeast of the Corona, California, airport, as a result of the total loss of engine power. The airplane which was owned and operated by the pilot sustained no damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operating under 14 CFR part 91 of the federal aviation regulations. The flight originated from the Corona, California, airport and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he departed Corona airport at approximately 1400 hours PDT and was in the process of flying off the initial 40 hour phase one certification requirement of his amateur built aircraft. He stated that at about 28 minutes into the flight at 3500 feet AGL he noticed minor engine RPM variations and then sudden engine stoppage. After making a successful forced landing in a open field the pilot/owner stated that he inspected the aircraft fuel system. This inspection revealed that the right fuel tank and header tank were empty and the left fuel tank still had approxi mately five gallons remaining. He said that prior to departing the Corona airport, he personally verified fuel tank levels by removing the fuel filler caps. He stated that while inspecting the fuel system he noticed that the left hand fuel tank fuller cap was installed backwards. He stated that the fuel filler caps have a vent tube vacing aft. He said this explained why the left hand fuel tank still had approximately five gallons of fuel and would not feed the header tank because the tank had a vacuum effect due to the vent tube right had fuel filler cap backwards after verifying fuel quantity. The pilot/owner stated that once the left hand fuel tank filler cap was properly installed the fuel system functioned normally, the engine started immediately and no further problems were experienced.