What happened
The flight began with the aircraft becoming airborne for approximately five minutes before a sudden and complete loss of engine power occurred. With no option to return to the departure point or reach another suitable airfield, the pilot initiated a forced landing procedure. The aircraft was directed toward a recently planted soybean field located nearby. Upon touchdown, the impact forces caused the tailwheel to separate from its mounting. This detached component subsequently struck and damaged the rudder assembly, resulting in significant structural compromise to the empennage.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators conducted a thorough examination of the aircraft's fuel system to determine the root cause of the power loss. The inspection revealed foreign material obstructing various components of the fuel delivery path. Specifically, pieces of rubber were discovered within the left main fuel tank, the connecting fuel line, and the header tank. This contamination suggests that debris had bypassed standard filtration or was generated within the system itself, ultimately restricting fuel flow to the engine.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the total loss of engine power caused by fuel starvation. The investigation confirmed that rubber debris was present in critical areas of the fuel system, including the left main tank and header tank. This obstruction prevented adequate fuel delivery to the engine during flight. The subsequent forced landing resulted in structural damage to the airframe, specifically involving the separation of the tailwheel and impact with the rudder.