NTSB Factual Report

On May 30, 2003, at 0907 Hawaiian standard time, an experimental Denis Cozy airplane, N794WD, lost engine power and impacted terrain at the Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The private pilot operated the borrowed airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and the private pilot/co-owner passenger were not injured. The personal local area flight departed KOA about 0905. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The primary wreckage was at 19 degrees 44 minutes north latitude and 156 degrees 02 minutes west longitude.

According to the pilot, after takeoff the engine lost power. He looked down at the fuel filter, which was physically located in the cockpit, and noted that it was clogged. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane 180 degrees to land on the taxiway. He indicated that 90 degrees into the turn the airplane landed at the end of the taxiway and onto a dried lava bed. The airplane's landing gear was sheared off after the airplane slid across lava rocks.

The pilot stated that the airplane was refueled that morning, and prior to take off, the fuel filter was clear. After the accident he looked inside the fuel filter and noted that the substance was a soft material that looked like sand. The pilot stated there were no unresolved mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, when he inspected the engine he noted that the fuel filter was clogged with a foreign substance.

NTSB Probable Cause

A clogged fuel filter, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb.