CEN16LA196

While approaching the airport for landing at the conclusion of a local flight, the airplane's engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot selected a field as a forced landing site, but noted a "ravine" in the middle of the field. Although the pilot attempted to "bounce" the airplane over the ravine during the landing, the airplane impacted the ravine wall and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane, and that the loss of engine power was due to fuel starvation, because he forgot to open the left fuel tank shut-off valve.

On May 19, 2016, about 1830 central daylight time, a Waco YMF airplane, N56ED, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near West Des Moines, Iowa. The pilot received serious injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane sustained damage to the firewall, lower forward fuselage, landing gear, and both lower wings. The aircraft was registered to Oakwood Group, LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines, Iowa, about 1810. The pilot reported that when returning from a local flight the airplane's engine lost all power about 2-3 miles from the airport. The pilot executed a forced landing to a grass field; however, the field had a "ravine" running through it and he attempted to bounce the airplane over the ravine during the landing. The airplane did not clear the ravine and struck the ravine wall. The pilot reported that the loss of engine power was due to fuel starvation because he forgot to open the left fuel tank shut off valve. He reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.