IAD03LA054

The non-certificated pilot was maneuvering his unregistered airplane at low altitude when the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a wheat field, and the airplane flipped over when it became entangled in the wheat. Post-flight examination of the airplane revealed a non-standard fuel source, but there was no evidence that it negatively affected engine operation. In addition, no engine anomalies were found.

On April 20, 2003, at 1730 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Ragwing RW-8-PT2S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a wheat field shortly after takeoff from Woods Farm Airstrip (VA50), Hanover, Virginia. The non-certificated pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, the engine stopped producing power. He stated:

"[The] engine went into 'wind milling' mode directly over top of [a] heavy wooded area. Spied fairly large wheat field to my left, made a hard bank approx. 180 [degrees], engine quit wind milling, lined up for rough field landing in knee high green wheat."

After making a three-point landing, the airplane flipped over after getting tangled in the wheat.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an examination of the airplane. The inspector said that there were no maintenance records for the engine, and the pilot told him that it was "old". The FAA inspector rotated the propeller by hand, and obtained compression on both cylinders, but could not determine why the engine lost power.

Further examination revealed a 5-gallon marine fuel can was mounted next to the pilot's seat in the location of a previously removed passenger seat. According to the pilot, it was the airplane's only fuel source, since the airplane's 10-gallon integral wing tanks were not used due to leaks.

The pilot initially stated that he was operating the airplane as an ultralight under 14 CFR Part 103; however, he later admitted to the FAA that it probably did not meet the requirements based on weight, stall speed, and airspeed. After examining the airplane, an FAA inspector said that it did not meet the criteria to qualify as an ultralight, and that the pilot was operating an unregistered airplane, without a pilot certificate.

The pilot reported a total of 1,400 flight hours, of which, 10 were in make and model. He also reported that there were no mechanical anomalies.

Weather conditions at Hanover County Municipal Airport (OFP), Ashland, Virginia, 7 miles west of Woods Farm, reported at 1854, were calm winds, clear skies and 10 miles visibility.