ATL95LA141

The pilot reported that the engine lost power as the airplane was being turned from downwind to base leg, while in the traffic pattern to land on runway 27. According to information from a tower controller, the airplane turned toward the runway and appeared to stall. It then entered a steep descent, disappeared behind trees, and crashed. The pilot reported there were five gallons of gasoline in the fuel tank before departure. The passenger said the fuel quantity indicator showed one gallon of fuel as the airplane entered the landing pattern. There was no odor of fuel at the accident site, and the fuel tank was torn loose from the airplane during impact.

On July 22, 1995, about 1638 eastern daylight time, a Wheeler Fisher Classic, homebuilt airplane, N942RW, collided with the ground, during an uncontrolled descent, at Marietta, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were minor injuries to the private pilot, and his passenger, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated about one hour prior to the accident.

According to the FAA operations inspector who interviewed the pilot and passenger, the engine quit as the airplane was being turned from the downwind to the base leg, for runway 27, at McCollum Field. An air traffic controller, in the tower at McCollum Field, stated that the pilot reported a loss of engine power, the airplane turned toward the runway, then appeared to stall.

The passenger stated that as the airplane crossed over the field, to enter the downwind, the fuel gauge was indicating about one gallon. There was no odor of fuel at the accident site, and the fuel tank was separated from the airframe.