CEN17LA236

The commercial pilot reported that, during initial climb after takeoff, the amateur-built airplane's engine experienced a partial loss of power. As he attempted to return to the airport, the engine lost total power. He subsequently conducted a forced landing on rough terrain, during which the right wing and fuselage sustained damage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the fuel hose from the left wing tank had deteriorated from the inside, which would have restricted the flow of fuel to the engine and led to fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power.

On June 18, 2017, about 715 mountain daylight time, an amateur-built Wells STOL CH701 airplane, N999WX, sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall during a forced landing to a field near Canon City, Colorado, after the airplane's engine lost power during initial climb after takeoff from the Fremont County Airport (1V6), Canon City, Colorado. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to 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 operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating from 1V6 when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power during initial climb about 6,500 feet msl. As he attempted to return to 1V6, the engine suddenly lost complete power. A forced landing was completed to rough terrain. The airplane incurred damage to the right wing and fuselage during the landing attempt. The pilot reported that after the accident he found that the fuel hose from the left fuel tank had deteriorated from the inside causing an obstruction to the normal flow of fuel.