CEN17LA098

The airline transport pilot and private pilot were conducting a personal, local flight in a single-engine, amateur-built airplane. During takeoff, the private pilot applied full power and began to climb the airplane. During climbout, about 400 ft above ground level, the pilots noticed a total and abrupt loss of engine power. Following unsuccessful attempts to regain power, the airline transport pilot executed a forced landing to an uneven field, during which the right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Examination and testing of the engine and fuel system components revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

On February 1, 2017, about 1536 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Cozy Mark IV airplane, N294MV, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Anthony, New Mexico. The airline transport pilot and private pilot were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which had recently departed from Cielo Dorado Estates Airport (NM05), Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The two pilots had been flying about 90 minutes, during which they accomplished several approaches in the local area. While executing a go-around from NM05, the private pilot applied full power and began a climb. About 400 ft above ground level, the pilots noticed a total and abrupt loss of engine power. Based on their perception that the power loss was due to a fuel issue, the pilots turned the fuel boost pump on and adjusted the mixture control, with no effect. The airline transport pilot accomplished a forced landing into a field, during which the right wing and fuselage were damaged. The accident occurred on the second flight of the amateur-built airplane, which was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-C1C fuel injected engine. Examination at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed adequate fuel was present in both the left and right fuel tanks, with the fuel selector in the right tank position. At the recovery location, a mechanic's examination revealed that all fuel lines and the fuel filter were intact and unobstructed. A small amount of sanding dust was observed in the fuel filter. The fuel boost pump was tested and determined to be operational. The fuel flow divider was removed and disassembled, which revealed a small amount of sanding dust. A flow check was conducted on the fuel nozzles, with no blockages or anomalies. During rotation of the propeller, the engine displayed normal continuity and magneto operation. No engine or fuel system anomalies were discovered that would have resulted in a loss of engine power.