NTSB Factual Report

On April 14, 2012, about 1550 central daylight time, a T Bird Golden Circle Air Inc II, experimental light sport airplane, N5654N, conducted a force landing following a loss of engine power near Clara City, Minnesota. The non-certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, reported that the accident flight was the airplane’s first flight after several months of inactivity. The pilot changed the airplane’s fuel and performed several high speed taxis to check the engine operation. The pilot then departed from a private field, the airplane’s engine began to run rough and then lost power. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The on-scene examination conducted by the FAA confirmed continuity to both the flight and engine controls. The examination did not detect any preimpact anomalies. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart located in the FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-9-35, found that the airplane was operating in an area conducive to serious icing at glide power. However, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane's loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.