NYC96LA005

The airplane lifted off during a high speed taxi check. The pilot believed there was insufficient runway remaining to land and stop, so he continued climbing. During the climb, about 200 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which, the airplane impacted a wire and nosed down. Postaccident examination revealed that there was a fuel flow restriction at the left wing, quick disconnect fitting. The fuel selector was found positioned to the left tank, and fuel was observed leaking from the left tank. A safety bulletin was issued by the manufacturer, which stated that the quick disconnect fittings were restricting fuel flow, and the manufacturer 'advised everyone in the September, 1995 Newsletter to cease flight operations until replacing the quick disconnects.' Additionally, the pilot reported he had ordered the new quick disconnects, but had not received them as of the accident date.

On October 9, 1995, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Pulsar XP, an experimental, homebuilt airplane, N95RK, collided with wires during a forced landing at the Zelienople Airport, Zelienople, Pennsylvania. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local, personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he was performing a taxi test, during which he lifted off the runway and climbed to 50' above the ground, with the intent to land again; however, he continued with the climb, with the concern of not having enough runway length to land and stop. During the climb, about 200' above the ground, the engine lost power and the pilot performed a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted wires and nosed straight down.

Postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that the left quick disconnect fitting, used to facilitate removal of the wing, was restricting fuel flow. The right wing quick disconnect fitting allowed normal fuel flow. The fuel selector valve was in the left tank position. Fuel was observed leaking out of the left wing fuel tank, and the right wing fuel tank was full.

The manufacturer issued a safety bulletin which stated:

...One of our Pulsar XP builders reported poor engine performance during ground runs prior to first flight. The problem was a lack of fuel flow from the wing tank to the engine. After much testing, the cause was traced to the quick disconnects....It is possible that the seal material used in the disconnects may not be compatible with certain new types of fuel additives, such as methanol alcohol in auto fuel. If the seals swell when subjected to these additives, fuel flow will be limited through the fittings. When we heard of this potential problem, we immediately advised everyone in the September, 1995 newsletter to cease flight operations until replacing the quick disconnects.

Additionally, the FAA Inspector stated:

...The aircraft owner stated that he had contacted Aero Designs about the quick-disconnect O-ring problem....The owner did request replacement fittings from the manufacturer, which had not been received as of October 9, [1995].