CHI05CA108

The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a tree limb and fence during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that the engine lost power about 8 minutes after takeoff during cruise flight. He executed a forced landing on a road, subsequently impacting an overhanging tree limb and a barbed wire fence. Approximately 2 ounces of fuel were obtained from the fuel tank during the post-accident inspection. The fuel filler cap was removed and no fuel was observed in the tank. Fuel was subsequently added to the airplane. The engine was started and ran at full throttle and various intermediate power settings. A magneto check was performed and was normal. After the engine ran the fuel tank sump drain was observed to be dripping fuel at an estimated rate of 1 quart per hour. The drain valve was reseated and the dripping stopped.

On April 24, 2005, at 1045 central daylight time, an Interstate S-1A-90F airplane, N37395, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lancaster, Kansas. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Bent Nail Ranch airport, the aircraft owner's private airstrip, about 1035, with an intended destination of Amelia Earhart Airport (K59), Atchison, Kansas. Bent Nail Ranch was located approximately 12 nautical miles west-northwest of K59.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that approximately 8 minutes after takeoff, en route to K59, the engine lost power completely. He executed a forced landing on a gravel road. He stated that during the landing rollout the left wingtip struck a tree limb overhanging the road resulting in a 90-degree turn to the left. The airplane subsequently came to rest on a barbed wire fence. The pilot noted that the Curtis (fuel tank sump) drain did not seat properly after taking a fuel sample prior to takeoff.

A post-accident inspection of the aircraft was conducted. Approximately 2 ounces of fuel were recovered from the fuel tank through the sump drain. The fuel filler cap was removed and no fuel was observed in the tank. No water or contamination was observed in the sample drained from the sump.

Approximately 2 gallons of fuel was added to the aircraft. The engine was started and ran at full throttle and various intermediate power settings. A 50-revolution per minute (RPM) drop was observed when the engine was run on either the left or the right magneto alone. After the engine run the Curtis drain was dripping fuel and continued to drip until the valve was reseated. The fuel was estimated to be dripping at a rate of about 1 quart per hour.