| Crash location | 33.244166°N, 115.924167°W |
| Nearest city | Salton City, CA
33.298650°N, 115.956111°W 4.2 miles away |
| Tail number | N332RP |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 18 Apr 2018 |
| Aircraft type | Wilhelm Puslar |
| Additional details: | None |
On April 18, 2018, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Wilhelm Puslar III airplane, N332RP, experienced a total loss of engine power and the pilot subsequently initiated a forced landing to open desert near Salton City, California. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained damage to the underlying structure. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed from Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (TRM), Palm Springs, California about 0800.
The pilot reported that he had been cruising about 6,700 feet for about 30 minutes. When he started to return to the airport the engine suddenly lost power. He tried several times to start the engine however, it would start, then stop again. He navigated to the nearest airport; however, unable to make the runway, he landed in an open desert area. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a berm, the landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest nose down.
The airplane has been moved to a secure location for further examination.