20180524015039A

A Grumman AA-1 aircraft on a personal flight departed spruce creek airport (7FL6) at approximately 4:00 pm. After takeoff, the PIC stated he made a left downwind departure to the west of the airport at approximately 1000 feet staying clear of daytona beach (kdab) airspace and continued to the west southwest about two miles when the engine began to sputter and shutdown. As he looked for an off airport landing with all intentions of turning back towards 7FL6, the PIC stated he switched tanks and successfully the engine re-started but, only briefly and then quit. He returned the fuel selector to the original tank position but the engine did not re-start and could not return to spruce creek. He then observed a possible landing area within a clearing to the south and proceeded in that direction. The aircraft glide path and altitude was very low by this time and it was unclear whether he would remain above the trees and had no other option but maintain the speed, avoiding the stall, and finally resting the aircraft into the trees. Preliminary investigation shows the aircraft upright approximately 1200 feet into a thick wooded area surrounded with homes. The nose was submerged into the soft ground. The right wing separated in multiple pieces however, the left wing remained intact. The tail fuselage and horizontal stabilator were torn and buckled. The debris path was contained within a small area with various pieces in and around the trees/ brush that existed. Initially there was no evidence of fuel leaking or otherwise onto the ground near the site. The salvage crew arrived and pulled out the aircraft where further examination continued. The aircraft damaged substantially was placed on a flatbed. A fuel sample we recovered denoted approximately one cup of fuel between the two tanks and did not appear the tanks were compromised. In this case, given the findings may have caused the engine to suffer from fuel starvation and shut down. The pilot breaking out a window to escape was transported to halifax, a nearby hospital, where he remained for several days, suffering severe injury to his spine and multiple lacerations on his arms, face and forehead. Visitation was brief and although alert did not address or recount the events at that time. Any further action is on hold until the pilot?s health has been restored.