LAX03LA217

The engine in the pilot's experimental airplane suddenly lost all power during cruise flight about 2,000 feet above ground level. The pilot successfully restarted the engine twice using its primer control, but after seconds power was again lost each time. The pilot made a hard forced landing in the underlying open field and collided with a berm. The engine power loss resulted from fuel starvation for undetermined reasons.

On July 19, 2003, about 0930 mountain standard time, a Rans, Inc. S-10 Sakota/A, N222EJ, experienced a loss of engine power while cruising near Paulden, Arizona. The pilot made a forced landing in an open dirt field. During the hard touchdown and rollout, the airplane collided with a berm and was substantially damaged. The private pilot received a minor injury. The experimental airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Seligman, Arizona, about 0900.

According to the pilot, at departure for the 30-minute-long flight the airplane had about 8 gallons of fuel on board. The airplane was equipped with a Rotax model 582 engine that is rated at 65 horsepower.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that while cruising about 6,500 feet mean sea level (2,000 feet above ground level) the engine suddenly lost all power. Using the Rotax 582's engine primer control, he was able to restart the engine; however, it only operated for seconds before losing all power. The pilot reported that he was able to restart the engine a second time, but it failed to continue operating. Therefore he made a forced landing in the underlying field. The touchdown was hard. The pilot opined that the power loss that occurred resulted from an interruption to the flow of fuel, for undetermined mechanical reasons.