20020312005169A

(.19) On March 12, 2002, at 1815 central standard time, a tillman long ez homebuilt airplane, N126DT, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb near Lockhart, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed the Lockhart Municipal Airport, Lockhart, approximately 1800. The pilot reported that he had not flown the airplane in approximately 3 weeks, and planned to fly the airplane around the traffic pattern. The pilot taxied the airplane out from the hangar, and performed a "normal" engine run-up prior to takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, approximately 200 feet AGL, the engine "didn't want to go anymore." The pilot executed a left teardrop turn, switched the fuel tanks, and attempted to gain altitude. Unable to make the runway, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane struck a fence and the right wing separated. The pilot stated that the airplane contained approximately 20 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff. (-23) experimental amateur built, a long ez departed Lockhart airport, for a day on a VFR 91 flight. There was loss of power on climb out. Pilot stated he tried to return to the airfield and landed at a 45-degree angle to hte runway approximately 150 feet short. The engine had quit running in flight. The aircraft received substantial damage. The right wing and landing gear were torn and separated from the aircraft. There was no injury to the pilot. The field inspection of the aircraft engine did not reveal any mechanical problems. The magnetos had spark; the engine and value train had continuity. Aircraft had the correct type of fuel and no contamination. The carburetor had fuel and the engine had compression. Cause of loss of power could not be determined. Case file forwarded to sat spm for review. (.4) on March 12, 2002, at 1800 central standard time, a tillman long ez homebuilt experimental airplane, N126DT, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb near Lockhart, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed the Lockhart Municipal Airport, Lockhart, at 1757. The pilot reported that he had not flown the airplane in approximately three weeks and planned to fly the airplane around the traffic pattern. The pilot performed a preflight inspection, taxied the airplane to runway 36, and then performed a "normal" engine run-up prior to takeoff. Shortly after takeoff, approximately 200 feet AGL, the engine began to lose power. The pilot "switched tanks, checked the mixture, and jockeyed the throttle a couple of times," with no response from the engine. Unable to make the runway, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a fence separating the right wing and right main landing gear. The pilot stated that the airplane contained approximately 20 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff. According to an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, he and the pilot performed a field inspection on the engine. Both the magnetos produced spark at the spark plugs, valve train continuity was established, and the engine cylinders produced compression. The carburetor contained fuel, which was clean and free of contaminants. No anomalies with the engine or airframe were noted during the examination. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.