ERA18LA155

The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,500 ft above ground level, the experimental, amateur-built airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He conducted a forced landing to a field, during which the landing gear separated, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although the weather conditions in the area of the accident site were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice at cruise power settings, based on the available information, it could not be determined if carburetor icing played a role in the loss of engine power.

On May 26, 2018, about 1230 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Kitfox Sport airplane, N47DV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Taghkanic, New York. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,500 ft above ground level enroute to his home airport when the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. He selected a cow pasture as an emergency landing area; during the landing roll, the landing gear separated from the fuselage and the airplane "spun 180 degrees" before coming to a stop. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Further examination revealed that 16 gallons of fuel remained in the fuel tanks. Fuel samples taken from both wing fuel tanks and the firewall strainer revealed no signs of water or debris contamination. Examination of the engine ignition system and the valvetrain did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The propeller was rotated and no resistance or binding was noted within the engine. The atmospheric conditions present in the area of the accident site around the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at both cruise and glide engine power settings.