Incident Summary
A pilot, who was also a mechanic, was performing a test flight to verify the flight control rigging of the airplane. During the approach to land, the engine lost power. The pilot executed a landing short of the runway threshold, but the airplane encountered a puddle of water approximately one foot deep, causing the aircraft to nose over. Subsequently, during the recovery effort, the airplane was destroyed by an explosion and fire.
Sequence of Events
While on approach, the pilot noted that the airplane was low on fuel and operating in rough, turbulent air. He was using a steep, nose-low attitude when the engine lost power. The pilot believed that the fuel tank inlet became unported during the approach, leading to fuel starvation and the subsequent power loss.
Pilot Observations
The pilot stated that the airplane was low on fuel and that the approach was conducted in rough air. He attributed the power loss to unporting of the fuel tank inlet. The accident occurred during a landing attempt short of the runway, with the nose-over caused by the water puddle.