20060528018839A

(-23) Motor glider was operating under powerless flight outside Payson AZ airport area. At approximately 3 miles from end of the runway, at an altitude of 9000 ft MSL, the pilot restarted engine in preparation of making an idle-engine gliding approach to land on runway 24. The pilot descended in a steep dive to lose altitude. When he reached the runway threshold he decided he was traveling too fast and high to be able to land. He began a go-around at mid-field and advanced the throttle to obtain take off power. The pilot states his airspeed was approximately 60 KTS. The engine did not immediately respond to the throttle movement, so he cycled it back and forth several times. He also cycled the fuel pump off and on to check for fuel flow. By this time the aircraft was nearing the departure end of runway 24. The pilot realized he had no power to climb & would have to land. He attempted to make a 180 degree turn back to the runway. He pulled the aircraft into a climbing left hand 60 degree bank turn, but lost too much altitude. The left wingtip struck the ground, and the aircraft cartwheeled. Aircraft was substantially destroyed with the empennage breaking free of the fuselage. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Airframe, engine, and propeller were inspected after they had been removed from the accident site. Engine and propeller controls were checked to verify continuity and operation. No discrepancies were noted other than the choke cable was binding; and cowl flaps function check was not able to be completed because the cowling was damaged during accident. Engine findings were as follows: oil & coolant reservoirs - empty (several hoses and tubes were ripped from the engine at time of accident). Spark plugs - clean and indicate good burn on all plugs. Compression - good continuity between crankshaft, pistons, and valves. Crankshaft moves freely throughout multiple rotations. Fuel - carburetors contained small amount of fuel in each bowl. Ignition harness - checked visually, no obvious breaks, wear, or abrasions. Unable to test ignition harness to verify operation. Airframe findings were as follows: fuel tank dipped - indicates 10 gal avgas in tank. Fuel pump - provides fuel to fuel injection system when switched on. Propeller findings were as follows: prop governor - cable continuity and operation stop to stop verififed. One prop blade had been broken upon impact, prop hub was also damaged at impact. During investigation the engine was not run to verify its operation. When interviewing the pilot, he stated that the aircraft fuel was at 1/2 tank when he began the flight for the day. He estimated there was 2 hours of fuel aboard and the flight was only 20 minutes long. The pilot had obtained private flight instruction in this aircraft one year prior to the accident at this airport and was familiar with the airport. The technique of starting the engine in-flight prior to landings had been taught to him at that time. He stated he had performed several in-flight engine starts prior and did not think there was a problem with the engine running. He did state it was a mistake on his part not to do a more thorough check of the engine operation since it was switched on.