WPR24LA269

The pilot, who held a student pilot certificate, stated that he maneuvered in the local area after departure. After about 40 minutes, he started to return to the airport. With the airplane about 2,000 ft above ground level (agl), the engine lost all power. Despite his attempts, the engine would not start, and the pilot maneuvered toward a field to make an off-airport emergency landing. During the landing touchdown, the airplane impacted a grapevine, substantially damaging the left wing struts. The pilot did not respond to investigators’ requests to examine the airplane. Therefore, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the reported loss of engine power.

On August 3, 2024, about 1245 Pacific daylight time, a Protech PT2 experimental amateur-built airplane, N657MJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lodi, California. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who held a student pilot certificate, stated that he maneuvered in the local area after departure. After about 40 minutes, he started to return to the airport. With the airplane about 2,000 ft agl, the engine lost all power. Despite his attempts, the engine would not start, and the pilot maneuvered toward a field to make an off-airport emergency landing. During the landing touchdown, the airplane impacted a grapevine, substantially damaging the left wing struts. The pilot stated that just before impact, the fuel tanks were both ¼ full, and there were six gallons of fuel on board at the last takeoff. The pilot did not respond to numerous attempts to contact him by NTSB investigators and FAA inspectors, and they were unable to examine the airplane.