NTSB Factual Report

On February 13, 2011, about 1100 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Kennedy Lancair 320, N351E, was substantially damaged after a loss of engine power and forced landing near Dawsonville, Georgia. The certificated commercial pilot/owner and the private pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Gwinnett County Airport (LZU), Lawrenceville, Georgia, about 1020, and was destined for Barrow County Airport (WDR), Winder, Georgia.

In a written statement, the pilot/owner gave a comprehensive account of the preflight planning, preflight inspection, takeoff, and flight to an area north of his departure airport with no anomalies noted. Once established in an area clear of traffic, the pilot allowed his passenger to do some maneuvering, and become accustomed to the airplane, as it was his first flight in a Lancair. After about 25 minutes of flight, the pilot/owner began transferring fuel from the left and right main fuel tanks to the 10-gallon “header tank” which fed the engine. Ten minutes after completing that operation, the engine began to lose power.

The pilot said that he resumed control of the airplane and performed troubleshooting that included activating the fuel boost pumps and adjusting throttle and mixture controls. When engine power could not be restored, the pilot elected to conduct a forced landing to a roadway, as the nearest airport selected on his GPS receiver was beyond the glide distance of the airplane. The pilot described the engine power as “surging, like it was running out of fuel.”

The pilot described maneuvering close to the ground to avoid wires and road traffic, and the resultant hard landing to a median in the roadway. The passenger’s account of events by telephone and his written statement were consistent with the pilot’s.

The pilot/owner held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine and multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first class medical certificate was issued April 2010. The pilot reported approximately 1,900 total hours of flight experience, and approximately 500 hours of experience in Lancair airplanes.

The pilot-rated passenger held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued June 2009. The passenger reported approximately 230 total hours of flight experience, none of which was in Lancair airplanes.

According to maintenance records, the airplane had accrued 479 total aircraft hours. Its most recent conditional inspection was completed on February 1, 2010, at 437 total aircraft hours.

The 1105 weather observation at Cherokee County Airport (47A), 21 miles west of the accident site, included clear skies and winds from 260 degrees at 3 knots. The visibility was 10 miles. The temperature was 12 degrees C and the dew point was -1 degrees C. The altimeter setting was 30.30 inches of mercury.

Examination of the airplane at the scene by an FAA inspector revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing tip, rudder, and propeller. A detailed examination was performed in Griffin, Georgia, on February 17, 2011, by the same inspector. The propeller was replaced, and the fuel filter and gascolator were inspected. The fuel filter showed only traces of sediment and water, but the gascolator bowl contained water and debris. The filter and bowl were then reinstalled in preparation for an engine run.

An engine start was then attempted on the airframe, utilizing the airplane’s own battery and fuel system. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and failure to detect water-contaminated fuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power.