MIA96LA207

The pilot stated he drained the fuel sumps and visually checked the main fuel tanks during his preflight inspection. He could only see dampness inside the fuel tank with a little visible fuel located next to the wing root. The pilot completed an engine run up, taxied to the active runway, and departed. During the initial climb at about 4,500 feet, the engine sputtered and quit. The pilot turned on the boost pump and moved the fuel selector from the main tank, to the header tank, and back to the main tank, but the engine did not restart. He notified approach control of the emergency and made a 180-degree turn back toward the airport. Realizing the airplane would not reach the airport, the pilot attempted a forced landing in an open field. However, he was unable to reach the selected field, and the main landing gear collided with bushes. The nose of the airplane then pitched down, and the airplane collided with the terrain in a nose down attitude. Examination of the fuel tanks revealed no fuel was present. Also, no precrash mechanical failure or malfunction of the engine assembly or accessories was found.

On August 8, 1996, about 1800 eastern daylight time a Stout, Glasair III, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, reported a total loss of engine power, on climbout in the vicinity of Boynton Beach, Florida, and crashed during the forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Palm Beach County Airpark, West Palm Beach, Florida, about 10 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he drained the fuel sumps, and looked at the fuel gauge during the preflight inspection. The fuel gauge indicated a 1/2 tank of fuel. He looked inside the main fuel tank, and could only see dampness with a little fuel visible towards the wing root area. He completed the preflight inspection, started the engine, completed an engine run up and taxied to runway 09 for departure. He took off and was on initial climb out at 4,500 feet when the engine sputtered and quit. He turned the boost pump on, moved the fuel selector from the main tank to the header tank and back to the main tank. An engine restart was not attempted. He notified Palm Beach Approach Control of the emergency, and made a 180-degree turn towards Palm Beach County Airpark. He informed approach that he would not be able to make the airport and made a forced landing to an open field. On final he realized that he was going to land short. The main landing gear collided with bushes, the nose pitched down, and the airplane collided with the terrain in a nose-down attitude.

Examination of the crash site revealed no evidence of any fuel leakage, and there was no odor of fuel. The main fuel tank and header fuel tank were empty. There was no evidence of discoloration of the grass or underbrush.

Examination of the engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash failure or malfunction.