CEN23LA329

The pilot reported that he was flying the airplane to the annual Experimental Aircraft Association Airventure fly-in at the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and was proceeding as prescribed in the Notices to Air Missions (NOTAM) pertaining to arrivals to the airport. He stated that the airplane’s engine lost power and he activated the auxiliary fuel pump, which restored engine power briefly. The engine again lost power and the pilot executed a forced landing to a corn field. The airplane nosed over during the landing and incurred substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical tail. Postaccident examination revealed no smell of fuel at the accident site and no evidence of a fuel spill. No usable quantity of fuel was found within the fuel tanks and the tanks were not breached. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the flight lasted about 3.6 hours. According to the airplane operations manual, the maximum flight duration at normal cruise was about 3.9 hours without reserve, but was predicated on using a lean mixture setting. Based on the available information, it is likely that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion.

On July 27, 2023, about 1233 central daylight time, a Varga 2150A, N5601G, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Green Lake, Wisconsin. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he was flying the airplane to the annual Experimental Aircraft Association Airventure fly-in at the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and was proceeding as prescribed in the NOTAM pertaining to arrivals to the airport. He stated that the airplane’s engine lost power and he activated the auxiliary fuel pump, which restored engine power briefly. The engine again lost power and the pilot executed a forced landing to a corn field. The airplane nosed over during the landing and incurred substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer. ADS-B data showed that the airplane departed KSBN at 0856 and proceeded toward OSH. It maneuvered southwest of OSH before the data ended at 1233. Using this information, the airplane was airborne for 3 hours and 37 minutes. According to the Airplane Operations Manual, the fuel capacity was 35 gallons with 34 gallons usable, and the fuel burn at 75% power when properly leaned was between 8.5 and 8.7 gallons per hour depending on atmospheric conditions, or 3.9 to 4.0 hours endurance without reserve. Postaccident examination of the airplane at the accident scene was conducted by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors. The airplane was inverted in a corn field. There was no fuel smell at the accident site and no evidence of a fuel spill. Once the airplane was righted the fuel tanks were examined and no usable fuel was found in the fuel tanks. The tanks were not compromised. Post-recovery examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.