NTSB Factual Report

On April 16, 2016, about 1343 eastern daylight time, a Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P2008; N588TA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Burgaw, North Carolina. The sport pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, which departed Henderson Field Airport (ACZ), Wallace, North Carolina, destined for Cape Fear Regional Jetport (SUT), Oak Island, North Carolina.

According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight enroute to SUT, when the electronic flight display system "went out." Approximately ten minutes later, the engine sputtered, and incurred a total loss of power. The pilot then switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine, without result. The pilot then made a forced landing to a farmer's field. During the landing rollout, the airplane's nose landing gear struck a ditch, and about 20 yards later, the airplane nosed over, coming to rest on its back.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the nose landing gear had partially separated from its mounts during the impact with the ditch, and the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer, and rudder when it nosed over.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a sport pilot certificate with an endorsement for airplane single engine land. He reported that he had accrued 280 total hours of flight experience.

According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 2014. The airplane's most recent conditional inspection was completed on February 15, 2016. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 41.1 total hours of operation.

The wreckage was retained by the NTSB for further examination.