NTSB Factual Report

On November 25, 2004, approximately 1625 central standard time, a Wingo Long-Ez single-engine experimental airplane, N234BW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a complete loss of power near Huntsville, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Angelina County Airport (LFK), near Lufkin, Texas, approximately 15 minutes earlier, and was in route to Coulter Field Airport (CFD), near Bryan, Texas.

According to the 587-hour pilot, while at the Angelina County Airport, and before departure, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane. The pilot reported that although he did not visually check the fuel tanks, he was confident that there was plenty of fuel available for the approximate 45-minute flight.

The pilot reported that after departure, he turned off the electric fuel boost pump and climbed to approximately 5,500 feet. A short time later, the pilot started a descent, and while descending through 4,500 feet, the engine abruptly stopped producing power. The pilot reported that he turned on the electric boost pump, verified the ignition switch was in the "both" position, and attempted an engine restart. When the engine failed to restart, the pilot elected to leave the nose gear retracted and land in a muddy field at the Ellis Farm Penitentiary near Huntsville, Texas.

The pilot further reported that shortly after touchdown, the airplane nosed over, coming to rest in an inverted position. The pilot was unable to extract himself from the inverted fuselage, but he was able to contact rescue personnel via his cellular telephone. Rescue personnel located and aided the pilot approximately 6 hours after the incident.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) performed an on-site examination of the airplane. The inspector reported that the left wing was separated from the fuselage, and the canard sustained structural damaged

An investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) performed a post accident examination of the engine and fuel system. The left fuel tank contained no fuel, and the right tank contained approximately a half tank of blue liquid consistent with 100LL aviation fuel. The fuselage was supported on a trailer to facilitate operating the engine while still on the airframe. The fuel strainer was inspected and found to be full of fuel. Five gallons of fuel were then added to the left fuel tank. The engine was then started and was operated for approximately 20 minutes. The engine was operated throughout all power settings and no anomalies were found.

Under NTSB oversight, the carburetor was removed and inspected by Precision Airmotive Corporation of Everett, Washington. The carburetor was flow checked and disassembled for inspection. According to personnel from Precision Airmotive Corporation, no anomalies were found that would have caused the loss of engine power.

At 1553, the weather observation facility at Huntsville Municipal Airport (UTS), near Huntsville, Texas, which is located southwest of the accident site, was reporting wind variable at four knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear of clouds, temperature 62 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 37 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.09 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for landing.