FTW99LA011

The engine of the homebuilt airplane lost power at approximately 300 feet agl after takeoff. The pilot initiated a forced landing into a plowed field north of the airport. After touchdown, the airplane rolled approximately 6 feet before the nose gear collapsed in the deep, soft ground. Subsequently, the aircraft nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that this was his first flight in the aircraft and that on the day of the accident, no problems were found during the preflight of the airplane. 'Run up was normal' and taxi testing just before takeoff was 'normal & handling characteristics were excellent.' The takeoff from runway 35 was 'excellent' and the airplane handled 'perfectly.' The pilot had completed an annual condition inspection during the previous month. He had also 'completed 5 sessions of taxi testing and high speed taxi testing' prior to the accident, and all of the tests had 'checked out well.'

On October 7, 1998, at 1700 central daylight time, a Wilson Teenie Two experimental homebuilt airplane, N5576, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Abilene, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight was originating from the Elmdale Airpark Airport at the time of the accident.

The private pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that this was his first flight in the aircraft. He had completed an annual condition inspection during the previous month. He had also "completed 5 sessions of taxi testing and high speed taxi testing" prior to the accident, and all of the tests had "checked out well."

The pilot further reported that on the day of the accident, no problems were found during the preflight of the airplane. "Run up was normal" and taxi testing just before takeoff was "normal & handling characteristics were excellent." The takeoff from runway 35 was "excellent" and the airplane handled "perfectly." At approximately 300 feet agl, the aircraft's engine experienced a loss of rpm. The pilot stated that the "engine did not quit." He "checked the throttle, it was okay," and the carburetor heat was in the off position. He initiated a forced landing to a plowed field north of the airport. The pilot further reported that after touch down, the field was "so soft and so deep" that the nose gear collapsed after the aircraft had rolled approximately 6 feet. The aircraft subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The pilot moved the aircraft to a hangar at the Elmdale Airpark Airport prior to the FAA inspector's arrival. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the fuselage was buckled just aft of the wing attaching points, the left main landing gear and nose landing gear were separated, the horizontal stabilizer was damaged, and the vertical fin's skin was wrinkled near the fuselage attaching point.