NYC95LA140

The pilot was flying the antique airplane to accumulate flight time toward the certification of a non-standard engine in the airframe. The pilot took off, and after he turned downwind, the engine lost power, which he was unable to restart. He tried to do a forced landing on a road, but as he tried to align with the road, the wing struck a utility pole. The aircraft descended, and collided with the ground in a marsh. Examination of the airplane did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction.

On July 4, 1995, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Nicholas Beasely NB-8, N583Y, was substantially damaged, during a forced landing in Bayport, New York. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed from the Bayport Aerodrome at 1225.

A non-standard engine had been installed in the antique airplane. About 14 hours of a 25 hour flight test program for FAA certification of the engine in the airplane had been completed by the pilot. The pilot departed on runway 18 to conduct takeoff and landing practice. In the NTSB Accident Report, he stated:

...Aircraft and engine performed well until about to enter the right downwind leg, when engine faltered, then quit. Approximately 2-3 seconds later it restarted only to permanently stop 3-5 seconds later. No response to carburetor heat...My altimeter read 650 feet therefore, I felt I could not reach the airport. Since there was a residential area between me and the airport, I made a 180 degree turn to the right, which placed me over marshland with no clear area in which to land. I attempted to reach the only road in the area. I did reach it, but did not have enough altitude to turn parallel to it. As a result, the left wing struck a utility pole, and the airplane came to rest in the marsh....

According to a written report from the FAA:

1. The overhead fuel tank was half full. 2. The fuel valve underneath the tank was operational checked and found satisfactory. 3. The engine fuel filter was clean with clear fuel in it. 4. There was an adequate, clean, clear, fuel flow from the tank to the carburetor. 5. The choke and carburetor was checked and found to operate satisfactorily.

In a telephone interview, the FAA Inspector reported that a cracked fuel hose was brought to his office for examination, and presented as being from the accident airplane. He said that although it was possible that the cracked fuel hose was the source of the power loss, he could not rule out the possibility that something else which was unknown had occurred, and caused the power loss.