NTSB Factual Report

On October 5, 2017, at 1053 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Glasair Super II RG kit airplane, N248ST, made a forced landing to a grassy field following a loss of engine power at the Santa Ynez Airport (IZA), Santa Ynez, California. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing rollout when it impacted a perimeter fence and a dirt berm. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that was departing at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot's written statement, his intent was to do touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. After performing a walk-around inspection, he entered the airplane and started the engine normally. He taxied the airplane to the run-up area for runway 26 and performed a run-up; the run-up was normal. He performed the pre-flight checklist and announced on Universal Communications (UNICOM) that he was taking off. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the first takeoff and landing. After landing, he decided to taxi back to the run-up area for runway 26.

Shorty after the second takeoff, the pilot noticed that the engine had stopped producing power. He initiated a left turn to enter the pattern, but the airplane was descending. The pilot stated that he had to make a forced landing to an open field; he reduced the throttle and leveled the wings in preparation for landing. The pilot landed on a grassy field and the airplane collided with a perimeter fence.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site. He verified that fuel was present in the fuel tanks. The pilot told him that he had refueled the airplane with 15 gallons of fuel in each wing, about 2 weeks before the accident.