WPR11LA207

The pilot reported that the run-up and takeoff were normal but that, during climbout, the engine sputtered and began to lose power. He kept the airplane straight and level and continued straight ahead. The pilot switched fuel tanks, turned on the fuel pump, and positioned the engine controls full forward; however, the engine continued to lose power. He then retarded the mixture and made a controlled descent between two ponds. The airplane stalled and landed hard on flat terrain, which resulted in structural damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that he had refueled the airplane several weeks before the accident but that he had not flown the airplane since that time. The pilot stated that, when he departed on the accident flight, the fuel tanks were full. Law enforcement personnel reported that, upon arrival at the accident site, fuel was leaking from the airplane. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

On April 23, 2011, about 1200 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur built Davison RV-7A, N59TD, experienced a loss of engine power on takeoff from the Sunrise Skypark Airport (ID40), Marsing, Idaho. The pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot/owner and a passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to left wing and fuselage during an off-airport forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed.According to the pilot, he performed a normal run-up, and indicated that the takeoff was also normal. On climb out, the engine sputtered and lost power. He kept the airplane straight-and-level, and continued straight ahead. He did not initiate a turn back to the runway. The pilot switched fuel tanks, turned on the fuel pump, and made sure the engine controls were full forward. He stated that he then pulled the mixture back, made a controlled descent, and aimed the airplane between two ponds. The airplane stalled, and made a hard landing. Prior to exiting the airplane, he turned everything off. The pilot stated that he had refueled the airplane a couple of weeks prior to the accident, and had not flown it before the accident due to bad weather. When he departed on the accident flight, the fuel tanks were full. The pilot also stated that he keeps the airplane in a hangar. Responding law enforcement personnel stated that the airplane came to rest upright in a marsh area near two fish ponds off of highway 78. The area was flat terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Also damaged was the engine cowling, and the main landing gear was bent aft. The two ponds were located about 2/3 mile east of the runway. Fuel was observed leaking out of the airplane, and buckets were placed underneath the wings to capture it. According to the pilot, he had built the airplane from a kit in 2010. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued a total of 45.6 flight hours. A Lycoming O-360-A1D, 180-horsepower engine had been installed on the airplane. The pilot had purchased the engine used. At the time of purchase, the engine had a total time of 940 hours. The airplane and engine were inspected by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. A visual examination of the engine revealed no obvious holes in the case or disconnects of the electrical wires, fuel lines, or hoses. He noted that the ignition was electronic with automotive ignition wires and auto spark plugs. The FAA inspector stated that there was nothing obviously wrong with the engine.