NTSB Factual Report

On September 5, 2005 at 1904 central daylight time, an experimental Christen Industries S-2B, N60770, registered to and operated by a private owner, lost engine power and nosed over during a forced landing at an open field in Deeherd, Tennessee. The flight operated under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Tullahoma Regional Airport, Tullahoma, Tennessee on September 5, 2005 at 1850.

The pilot stated he flew the airplane for three flights on September 4, 2005, and refueled the airplane before and after the first flight. He did not refuel the airplane after the third flight with his wife. On the day of the accident he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane and no anomalies were noted. He did not check or stick the fuel tank to measure the fuel quantity. He departed on a local flight from Sewanee, Tennessee, to Tullahoma, Tennessee. He landed at Tullahoma, Tennessee, picked up a friend, and flew around the local area before landing back at Tullahoma. He did not add any fuel before departing Tullahoma back to Sewanee. The pilot stated, "I then departed Tullahoma for Sewanee and ran out of fuel in flight over Woods Reservoir at an altitude of 3000 feet AGL." The pilot made a forced landing to an open field, and the airplane nosed over on touch down.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots inadequate preflight of the fuel tank resulting in a total loss of engine power in cruise flight, forced landing, and nose over on landing roll out.