ERA24LA151

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane departed with the intention of completing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. While on the downwind leg of the pattern, when the pilot reduced engine power the engine lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, then initiated a forced landing to a field. The fuselage structure was substantially damaged during the landing. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that with power applied to the engine’s ignition system no spark was produced when the engine’s crankshaft was rotated. Based on this information system, it is likely that an ignition system fault resulted in the total loss of engine power.

On March 4, 2024, about 1011 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built X-Air H, N3505W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ellenboro, North Carolina. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed Twin Airpark (8NC2), Caroleen, North Carolina at 0830, destined for Rutherford County Airport (FQD) where he had planned to stop for fuel. After obtaining about 18 gallons of fuel at FQD, the pilot then returned to 8NC2 and completed one landing. He elected to depart 8NC2 again and took off to the north from runway 14 for more touch-and-go landing practice. When the pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 14 and reduced engine power; the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine with the electric fuel pump turned on and with the engine choked; however, the engine failed to restart. The pilot elected to make a forced landing in a field, which resulted in the nose landing gear collapsing and substantial damage to the fuselage at the left and right main landing gear mounting points. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the spark plugs displayed coloration consistent with normal engine operation. Compression and valvetrain movement was observed on all cylinders. Continuity of the crankshaft to the camshaft was confirmed. The oil filter was removed and inspected with no discrepancies noted. With the airplane battery on and ignition switch on, the engine was rotated by hand, but the ignition coil did not produce spark.