ATL02LA129

The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power in cruise flight at 2,500 feet. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field and had to turn sharply to avoid an in flight collision with trees. The airplane collided with the ground hard and collapsed the landing gear. Examination of the fuel system revealed the fuel pick up tubes in both fuel tanks were not fully submerged resulting in fuel starvation.

On June 22, 2002, at 1430 eastern daylight time, an Eames Acro Sport experimental airplane, N16SE, owned by and registered to the commercial pilot collided with the ground during a forced landing near Burlington, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Blue Ridge Airport in Martinsville, Virginia at 1400.

According to the pilot, no abnormalities with the airplane were noted until approximately 30 minutes into the flight. During cruise flight at 2,500 feet MSL, the pilot noted a loss of engine power. At that time, the fuel pressure gauge read less than 5 psi (normal pressure is 15 psi). The engine temporarily regained power and the fuel pressure gauge read 10-12 psi. Immediately after, the gauge again dropped below 5 psi followed by a total loss of engine power. Attempts by the pilot to regain fuel pressure by use of the wobble pump were unsuccessful. At 200 feet AGL, the pilot elected to execute a forced landing into an open field. The pilot stated that he had to turn sharply to avoid trees, resulting in a hard landing. The landing gear collapsed during the touchdown and landing roll.

Examination of the airplane revealed impact damage to the propeller, landing gear, wings, undercarriage, engine, and flight controls. A functionality check of the engine was attempted on the ground post-accident. Attempts to build fuel pressure at the fuel pump were unsuccessful, and the fuel pressure gauges continued to indicate a lack of fuel pressure.

Further examination of the airplane by a airframe & powerplant mechanic revealed that the level of fuel in both tanks was below the fuel pick up tubes. The pick up tubes were not fully submerged in the remaining fuel of both tanks. The fuselage access panel was removed to gain access to fuel line connections and fuel lines of both fuel tanks. There was no damage to the fuel tanks or associated fuel lines. There was also no evidence of fuel leakage as a result of the forced landing. The fuel caps are un-vented and were fitted tightly in the fuel tanks. The mechanical fuel pump was removed and functioned normally when activated by hand. The fuel selector valve was switched to the main tank position and the manual vane pump was activated, the pump functioned and pumped fuel to the filter housing. The fuel selector was positioned to auxiliary and the manual vane pump functioned normally. The fuel filter housing was removed and the filter was checked for contamination. The filter was not obstructed and did not contain any contaminates that would inhibit fuel flow.