LAX02LA263

The experimental amateur-built airplane lost engine power while the student pilot was turning onto an extended final approach. The airplane impacted trees and terrain short of the runway. The pilot reported that the right fuel tank ruptured in flight. An FAA inspector, who examined the airplane following the accident, reported that the right fuel tank had been patched to prevent fuel leakage on at least two separate occasions. The inspector noted fuel leaking around the patches; which eventually resulted in fuel exhaustion. The airplane underwent its last annual inspection 6 months prior to the accident. According to the pilot, the previous owner had the patches applied.

On August 24, 2002, at 2000 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Pravecek Lawrence Varieze, N42231, lost engine power while turning onto final approach and impacted trees and terrain short of runway 35 at the Rio Linda Airport (Q94), Rio Linda, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Q94 about 1940, and was scheduled to terminate at Q94.

The pilot stated that he was number two to land behind a banner tow airplane, and he elected to extend the base leg for spacing. During the turn to final, the airplane lost engine power, and the airplane started to shake. The pilot attempted to add engine power, but "didn't have any." The airplane impacted trees on the approach end of the runway and came to rest upright.

In a written statement submitted by the pilot, he stated that the "right fuel tank ruptured in flight" and the airplane lost power.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane following the accident. According to the inspector, the airplane and fuel storage cells were made of fiberglass. The inspector discovered a patch on the outboard trailing edge of the right wing. He reported that the patch covered another patch and that fuel was leaking around the patches. The inspector believed this resulted in the airplane "running out of gas." The pilot told the inspector that the previous owner/builder had the patches applied.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the airplane's last annual inspection occurred on February 18, 2002, at an airplane total time of 721 hours.